GIFT   OF 


JOHN  OF  NEPOMUK 


THE  NINETEENTH  GROVE  PLAY 
OF  THE  BOHEMIAN  CLUB 


JOHN  OF  NEPOMUK 

PATRON  SAINT  OF  BOHEMIA 

BY 

CLAY  M.  GREENE 

WITH  A  NOTE  ON  THE  MUSIC   BY  THE  COMPOSER 

HUMPHREY  J.  STEWART 

THE  NINETEENTH  GROVE  PLAY  OF  THE 
BOHEMIAN  CLUB  OF  SAN  FRANCISCO 

AS   PERFORMED  BY  ITS  MEMBERS  IN  THE   BOHEMIAN  GROVE 

SONOMA  COUNTY,  CALIFORNIA,  ON  THE  THIRTIETH 

NIGHT    OF    JULY,  NINETEEN    TWENTY  ONE 


SAN  FRANCISCO 

BOHEMIAN  CLUB 

1921 


te« 


COPYRIGHT  1921 

BY  BOHEMIAN  CLUB 

SAN  FRANCISCO 


PRINTED     BY    BRUCE     BROUGH 
SAN     FRANCISCO,    CALIFORNIA 


FOREWORD 

authorities  in  respect  to  the  life  and  death  of  John 
±  of  Nepomuk  are  so  conflicting  as  to  create  the  suspicion 
in  the  searcher's  mind  that  their  chroniclers  have  been  swayed 
by  religious  creed  rather  than  historical  fact.  Some  of  them 
have  even  gone  so  far  as  to  deny  that  John  was  ever  the  Father 
Confessor  of  Queen  Joanna  and  to  insist  that  his  torture 
and  death  resulted  from  seditious  activities  against  King 
Wenceslaus  and  his  religious  superior,  the  Archbishop  of 
Prague.  Also  that  the  romantic  story  to  the  effect  that  he 
suffered  death  rather  than  reveal  the  secrets  confided  to  him 
by  a  guilty  Queen  in  the  sanctity  of  the  Confessional  was 
nothing  more  than  deftly  contrived  legend. 

To  the  playbuilder,  however,  such  contradictory  evidence 
is  no  deterrent  to  the  evolution  of  a  drama.  It  justifies  him 
in  the  selection  of  such  excerpts  from  history  or  legend,  fact 
or  fiction,  as  may  be  best  suited  for  the  creation  of  human  or 
dramatic  interest;  and  this,  it  is  earnestly  hoped,  has  been 
accomplished. 

During  the  action  of  the  play,  it  will  be  noted,  the 
unities  of  time  and  place  have  been  disturbed,  for  the  purpose 
of  adapting  it  to  the  somewhat  arbitrary  requirements  of  the 
Grove  stage.  The  further  defense  is  offered  that,  in  the 
exigencies  of  play -making,  dramatic  license  is  not  only  allow 
able  but  sometimes  unavoidable. 

Before  closing  this  somewhat  apologetic  Foreword,  I  make 
bold  to  dissent  from  the  gracefully  worded  opinions  of  former 
Grove  Play  authors  to  the  effect  that  such  plays  should  not  be 
geographic,  historical  or  narrative  of  human  happenings; 
that  their  plots  and  characters  should  grow  out  of  inspirations 

[3] 
M224903 


seeded  in  the  Grove  itself >  and  that  in  no  case  should  the 
natural  scenic  splendors  of  the  great  stage  be  marred  or  dis 
figured  by  artificial  embellishment  of  any  kind. 

This  dissent  was  foreshadowed  long  agoy  for  in  selecting 
my  theme  I  was  actuated  by  the  memory  of  an  incident  in 
club  history ',  when^  with  elaborate  ceremonies ',  John  of  Nepo- 
muk  was  duly  declared  to  be  the  Patron  Saint  of  the  Western 
Bohemia ,  because  he  had  suffered  torture  and  death  rather 
than  betray  the  secret  of  a  woman. 

I  then  chose  his  martyrdom  as  the  basis  of  my  Grove  Play, 
should  I  ever  be  honored  by  an  invitation  to  write  one,  and 
now  that  I  have  accepted  that  long  awaited  honor  I  ask  to  be 
pardoned  for  having  transgressed  so  far  upon  what  has  been 
set  down,  at  least  in  some  opinions ,  as  Club  tradition,  in  the 
hope  that  this  labor  of  love  may  not  have  been  in  vain. 

C.  M.  G. 


4l 


CAST  OF  CHARACTERS 

JOHN  OF  NEPOMUK  DION  HOLM 

Vicar  General  of  Prague 

WENCESLAUS  IV,  King  of  Bohemia       RICHARD  M.  HOTALING 
SIGISMUND,  King  of  Hungaria  WILLIAM  B.  HANLEY 

(The  Song  of  SIGISMUND  sung  by  HARRY  ROBERTSON) 
JOHN  III,  Archbishop  of  Prague  J.  WILSON  SHIELS 

VLADISLAV,  BENJAMIN  A.  PURRINGTON 

Confident  of  King  Wenceslaus 

HAJEK,  Jester  to  King  Wenceslaus  WILLIAM  S.  RAINEY 

LABOCAN,  The  Court  Astrologer  E.  MALCOLM  CAMERON 

BALBINUS,  Court  Chamberlain  MARION  VECKI 

TOMAK,  A  Soldier  J.  BOYD  OLIVER 

MATHIAS,  Captain  of  the  Guard  E.  COURTNEY  FORD 

MALEK,  A  Soldier  M.  C.  THRELKELD 

— AND — 

JOANNA,  Queen  of  Bohemia  RICHARD  LEONARD 

Chorus  of  Monks  and  Peasants,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  of 
the   Court,   Acolytes,   Deacons,   Courtesans, 
Soldiers  and  Chorus  of  Angels 

TIME:  A.  D.  1393 
PLACE:  A  forest  near  Prague,  Bohemia 

HISTORICAL  NOTE:     John  of  Nepomuk,  born  in  Pomuk,  Bohemia,  133$; 
died  in  Prague^  Bohemia,  1393;  canonized  by  Pope  Benedict  XIII,  1729. 


CHORUS  OF  MONKS,  PEASANTS  AND  ANGELS 


F.  N.  ANDERSON 
M.  ANGER 
A.  A.  ARBOGAST 
H.  K.  BAXTER 
EUGENE   BLANCHARD 
A.  R.  BROWNE 
R.  A.  BROWN 
C.  F.  BULOTTI 
E.  J.  CARDINAL 
P.  S.  CARLTON 
E.  D.  CRANDALL 
M.  E.  CRESWELL 
W.  W.  DAVIS 
T.  G.  ELLIOTT 
DAVID  EISENBACH 
C.  E.  ENGVICK 
C.  J.  EVANS 
R.  E.  FISHER 
H.  FREEMAN 
E.  GERSON 


R.  A.  GLENN 
R.  B.  HEATH 
W.  F.  HOOKE 
W.  H.  HOPKINSON 
OTIS  JOHNSON 
A.  G.  KELLOGG 
WALTER  KNEISS 
R.  H.  LACHMUND 
A.  F.  LA  WTO  N 
RICHARD  LUNDGREN 
R.  I.  LYNAS 
F.  A.  MACK 

E.  H.  McCANDLISH 

JOHN  McEwiNG 
W.  A.  MITCHELL 
P.  J.  MOHR 

F.  MUELLER 
R.  M.  NEILLY 

W.  P.  NlELSON 

R.  O'BRIEN 


WM.  OLNEY 
H.  W.  ORR 
G.  B.  PETERSON 
R.  PROBASCO 

G.  PURLENKY 
C.  A.  RlESER 

F.  E.  RODOLPH 
E.  W.  ROLAND 

B.  ROMAINE 

B.  M.  STICH 
A.  H.  STILL 
J.  M.  TEEL 

C.  F.  VOLKER 
P.  H.  WARD 

T.  G.  WHITAKER 
MARK  WHITE 

G.  R.  WILLIAMS 
W.  S.  WILSON 
A.  Y.  WOOD 


SOLDIERS 

L.  D.  ADAMS  R.  M.  HARDIN  PRESTON  McKiNNEY 

RICHARD  O'CONNOR       E.  J.  THOMAS 

DEACONS 
F.  S.  HOWARD  A.  M.  DUPERU 

LADIES  OF  THE  COURT 

W.  H.  BISSELL  R.  L.  CHAMBERLAIN        P.  A.  DREW 

W.  T.  RAMBO  M.  F.  STEELE 

HERALDS 

ARTHUR  W.  CHRISTIE         GEORGE  WIHR 


6] 


A.  M.  BROWN,  JR. 

LESLIE  CUPPLES 
WILLIAM  CUPPLES 


DANCING  SOLDIERS 

CHESTER  DECHANT  FRED  KAPPLEMAN 

CHARLES  DECHANT  WARREN  MACK 

ELMER  GUNTHER  HAROLD  MAUNDRELL 
JOHN  MESSERSCHMIDT 


DANCING  COURTESANS 


HARRIS  ALLEN 
JOHN  F.  CONNOLLY 
FRED  DAVIS 


WILLIAM  GERBER,JR. 
GEO.  HAMMERSMITH 
GEORGE  HASHINGER 
ERLE  OSBORN 


GROVER  LA  VELLE 

CARL  MAX 

FRED.  W.  McNuLTY 


STAGE  DIRECTOR 
LIGHTING 

DIRECTORS  OF  DANCE 
PROPERTIES 

CHORUS  MASTER 
CONDUCTOR 
CONCERT  MASTER 
ORCHESTRA  MANAGER 


REGINALD  TRAVERS 

EDWARD  J.  DUFFEY  and 
RAY  F.  COYLE 

TED  SHAWN  assisted  by 

GEORGE  HAMMERSMITH 

RAY  F.  COYLE  assisted  by 
HARRY  CARLTON  and 
HARRY  S.  FONDA 

EUGENE  BLANCHARD 
HUMPHREY  J.  STEWART 
L.  FENSTER 
WALTER  OESTERRICHER 


7] 


THE  PLOT   OF  THE  PLAY 

IT  is  the  hour  of  approaching  dawn,  in  a  forest  situated 
some  leagues  from  the  capital  city  of  Prague,  Bohemia, 
immediately  preceding  the  arrival  of  the  Court  of  KING 
WENCESLAUS  IV  for  the  solemnization  of  Easter  ceremo 
nials  and  the  holding  of  revels. 

Sentries  are  guarding  the  canopied  thrones  of  KING 
WENCESLAUS  and  QUEEN  JOANNA,  and  at  the  altar 
HAJEK,  the  Court  Jester,  is  kneeling  in  prayer.  Con 
templating  him  mockingly  is  one  LABOCAN,  who  has 
gained  the  confidence  of  the  KING  through  false  claims 
that  he  can  draw  auguries  from  the  stars. 

A  song  is  heard  through  the  darkness  of  the  forest 
which  awakens  only  the  interest  of  the  Sentries.  The 
opening  scene  establishes  the  opposite  characters  of  the 
two  men.  HAJEK,  a  hunchback  of  forbidding  visage, 
sees  nothing  but  brightness  and  happiness  in  the  world, 
while  LABOCAN,  whose  features  and  physique  are  normal, 
is  surly,  distrustful  and  finds  no  good  in  anything  human. 

The  refrain  of  the  song  is  heard,  nearer,  and  VLADISLAV, 
a  mercenary  who  has  ingratiated  himself  into  the  confi 
dence  of  the  KING,  enters  in  a  state  of  apparent  alarm, 
calls  attention  to  the  mysterious  song  and  relates  how 
on  the  night  of  the  coronation  of  WENCESLAUS  this  same 
song  was  heard  under  the  window  of  QUEEN  JOANNA, 
creating  much  scandal  about  the  Court,  for  the  singer 
proved  to  be  none  other  than  SIGISMUND,  half  brother  to 
the  KING,  and  a  suitor  for  her  hand  before  she  had  been 
lured  by  the  proffer  of  a  crown. 

The  form  of  a  woman  is  seen  to  cross  the  stage  in  the 

[8] 


direction  of  the  song.  VLADISLAV  is  certain  that  this  is 
the  QUEEN  hurrying  to  keep  an  assignation  with  her  old 
lover,  but  HAJEK,  who  has  crept  close  enough  to  her  to 
recognize  her,  denies  it  is  she. 

JOHN  OF  NEPOMUK  arrives  with  a  procession  of  Monks 
to  prepare  for  the  religious  ceremonies,  and  VLADISLAV 
and  LABOCAN  tell  him  of  the  song  and  their  suspicions. 
With  deep  feeling  JOHN  defends  the  QUEEN,  asserts  his 
conviction  of  her  innocence  of  wrong  and  declares  his 
belief  that  she  will  prove  it  by  being  present  during  the 
approaching  ceremonies. 

The  royal  retinue  arrives  in  resplendent  procession  and 
the  QUEEN  is  in  her  proper  place,  to  the  deep  confusion 
of  her  enemies.  The  KING  addresses  his  subjects,  stat 
ing  the  reasons  for  moving  the  Court  into  the  forest,  and 
calls  for  the  Easter  revels  to  begin.  JOHN,  much  amazed, 
protests  that  the  Mass  must  come  first,  and  in  this  he  is 
touchingly  encouraged  by  the  QUEEN. 

It  is  now  intimated  by  the  KING  that  there  is  deep 
distrust  as  to  his  QUEEN'S  loyalty  and  virtue.  Her  oppo 
sition  to  his  will  regarding  the  precedence  of  religious 
ceremonies  over  his  long  awaited  revels  so  moves  him  to 
strange  spite  that  he  decides  to  submit  the  matter  of 
that  precedence  to  a  fool,  and  calls  upon  HAJEK,  the 
Jester.  Frankly  confessing  that  it  is  to  his  interests  to 
decide  against  his  better  instincts  in  favor  of  the  KING, 
he  calls  for  the  revels  to  come  first. 

JOHN  again  protests  against  these  unholy  functions  in 
the  presence  of  the  Altar  of  God,  when  the  KING  angrily 
directs  that  it  be  taken  away.  The  QUEEN  is  about  to 
descend  from  the  throne  to  follow  the  removal  of  the 
Shrine,  but  JOHN  reminds  her  that  it  is  her  duty  to  submit 
to  the  will  of  her  liege  Lord  and  she  sadly  complies  with 
his  injunction. 

[9] 


Wine  is  brought  and  the  QUEEN  is  compelled  to  offer 
the  first  toast  to  Bohemia,  following  which  the  COURT 
CHAMBERLAIN  is  called  upon  to  begin  the  revels  with  a 
song  dedicated  to  wine  and  drunkenness.  Continuance 
of  the  revels  is  interrupted  by  LaBOCAN,  who  declares  that 
the  stars  have  predicted  coming  disaster,  and  the  KING 
in  deep  rage  orders  him  from  the  Court  until  he  can  woo 
kindlier  inspirations  out  of  the  skies. 

The  banquet  is  announced  and  the  Court  adjourns  to 
feast  on  its  promised  dissipations.  As  the  KING  is  about 
to  follow  his  courtiers  the  song  of  SIGISMUND  is  heard 
again,  and  VLADISLAV  recalls  the  singing  of  the  same  song 
at  the  coronation,  when  the  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  GUARD  is 
summoned  and  ordered  to  send  soldiers  to  apprehend  the 
mysterious  minstrel. 

The  QUEEN  bribes  the  soldier,  TOMAK,  who  is  sent  on 
this  mission,  by  giving  him  her  necklace,  and  the  sus 
picions  of  JOHN  are  aroused  as  to  her  loyalty  and  honor 
as  a  wife.  She  convinces  him,  however,  that  her  offence 
has  been  only  political,  and  that  she  has  not  deceived 
him  in  her  confessions.  This  is  interrupted  by  the 
appearance  of  the  faithful  HAJEK,  who  warns  her  of  the 
enemies  that  are  leagued  against  her  and  insists  that  she 
must  dissemble  with  the  KING  and  not  oppose  him  in 
any  of  his  whims,  however  mad  they  may  be. 

The  cupidity  of  the  bribed  TOMAK  is  aroused  and, 
returning  to  the  QUEEN,  he  reports  SIGISMUND'S  escape 
and  claims  the  balance  of  his  reward,  which  is  given  him. 
SIGISMUND,  however,  not  willing  to  escape  until  he  has 
had  an  interview  with  the  QUEEN,  suddenly  appears  and 
an  affectionate  greeting  is  interrupted  by  JOHN,  who 
also  pleads  with  him  to  escape,  as  his  life  is  in  danger. 
His  departure  is  detected  by  the  prying  VLADISLAV,  who 
demands  information  as  to  his  identity.  This  JOHN 


refuses  to  give  and  TOMAK  is  again  sent  to  bring  the 
stranger  back. 

The  KING  and  his  revellers  return  from  the  banquet. 
Flushed  with  wine,  he  refuses  to  discuss  matters  of  state 
with  VLADISLAV  until  the  revels  are  over,  and  calls  for 
another  song  of  wine  and  his  favorite  dance  of  the 
Bacchanals.  This  over,  the  KING  declares  himself  ready 
for  the  religious  ceremonies  of  the  morning,  when  TOMAK 
is  brought  in  a  prisoner,  with  the  report  that  he  has 
permitted  the  mysterious  minstrel  to  escape.  The 
QUEEN'S  necklace  is  found  on  him  and  he  is  ordered  to 
death.  The  QUEEN  on  her  knees  protests  her  innocence 
of  any  intentional  wrong,  when  SIGISMUND  also  is  brought 
in  under  arrest. 

WENCESLAUS  angrily  accuses  him  of  having  defiled  the 
royal  bed  and  is  slapped  in  the  face,  which  action  he 
avenges  by  stabbing  his  half  brother.  SIGISMUND  is  only 
wounded,  however,  and  demands  his  release,  stating  that 
he  is  a  KING  as  powerful  as  WENCESLAUS  and  if  he  were 
made  prisoner  Hungaria  would  at  once  invade  Bohemia. 

SIGISMUND  is  set  free  and,  immediately  following  his 
departure,  KING  WENCESLAUS  determines  to  lift  the  veil 
of  secrecy  from  the  soul  of  the  QUEEN  through  her  FATHER 
CONFESSOR,  and  orders  JOHN  brought  before  him,  even  if 
he  must  be  torn  from  the  exercise  of  his  Holy  Office.  This 
sacrilegious  order  is  carried  out,  but  JOHN  indignantly 
defies  the  KING  to  wrest  from  him  the  secrets  of  the  church 
and  is  ordered  to  torture. 

The  QUEEN,  several  times  during  the  progress  of  the 
tortures,  offers  to  reveal  her  secrets  to  the  KING,  but  she 
is  stayed  by  warning  admonitions  from  the  suffering 
priest,  who  forbids  her  to  speak  on  penalty  of  the  anger 
of  Heaven.  HAJEK.  manages  to  communicate  with  her 
unseen  by  the  KING;  declares  that  the  only  hope 


now  of  saving  JOHN'S  life  is  through  the  intervention  of 
the  ARCHBISHOP  and  leads  her  to  where  horses  are  wait 
ing  for  her. 

Finding  that  the  QUEEN  has  disappeared,  the  fury  of 
the  KING  is  redoubled.  He  orders  greater  tortures  in 
flicted,  and  the  death  of  the  Holy  Man  soon  ensues.  The 
KING  is  now  struck  with  alarm  at  the  error  he  has  com 
mitted,  and  directs  that  the  body  of  JOHN  be  thrown 
into  the  river,  so  that  the  sight  of  it  shall  not  inflame  his 
people. 

The  QUEEN  returns  with  the  ARCHBISHOP  to  demand 
the  release  of  JOHN,  but  on  hearing  of  his  death  the  curse 
of  the  Church  is  hurled  at  the  now  terrified  KING,  who 
pleads  for  mercy  but  is  again  accursed  of  God. 

A  terrible  storm  follows  the  curse  of  the  ARCHBISHOP, 
and  after  the  resultant  darkness  a  blinding  white  light 
comes  from  out  of  the  Heavens,  the  figure  of  JOHN  rises 
from  the  river  toward  it,  and  a  great  Angel  Chorus 
speeds  him  upward  on  his  flight  into  Paradise. 


12] 


THE    INDUCTION 

(Omitted  in  the  representation) 

SCENE 

In  the  Temple  of  History.  This  is  a  small  domed 
structure^  so  constructed  as  to  be  easily  removed  without  the 
dropping  of  a  curtain.  The  floor  of  this  is  slightly  raised 
and  two  steps  lead  up  to  it. 

HISTORY  is  discovered  with  THESPIS  seated  on  a  white 
Greek  chair  >  and  THESPIS  is  below  him  at  the  foot  of  the 
steps.  HISTORY  has  his  arms  extended  as  if  in  protest. 

HISTORY 

No  more!     Again  do  I  protest,  O  THESPIS. 
But,  since  no  argument  hath  motive  force 
Unless  there  be  two  sides  to  it,  I  grant, 
For  its  sake  only,  that  you  have  a  premise 
In  which  to  plant  the  seeds  that  fruit  good  judgment. 

THESPIS  (making  an  abject  obeisance) 
I  bow  in  humblest  gratitude  to  learn 
That  History,  stern,  unimpeachable, 
Down  thro'  the  ages,  who  hath  carved  on  stone 
In  letters  bold,  ineradicable, 

The  deeds  and  words  of  Fame's  great  men  and  women, 
Hath  stooped  to  ease  his  burden  of  conceit 
And  grant  that  THESPIS  merits  seed  or  premise. 

HISTORY  (severely) 

Briars  have  sprouted  in  your  thoughts  and  speech, 
To  scratch  away  the  film  of  modesty 
And  show  beneath  it  vain  and  dull  sarcasm. 

[13] 


THESPIS 

If  my  sarcasm's  dull,  then  Art's  awry; 
The  fame  I've  won  upon  the  mimic  stage 
Becoming  impotent;  a  tawdry  cheat, 
Clouding  perfection  with  the  taint  of  sham. 

HISTORY 

Your  mimic  stage,  alas!  is  full  of  that 
As  is  my  temple  of  recorded  fact. 
Your  men  and  women  blatant  in  perversions 
Of  time,  of  place,  of  reason  and  of  truth. 
You  welcome  glaring  inconsistency; 
Unbridled  license  seeps  thro'  all  your  work, 
And  Fiction  dulls  the  glow  of  History. 

THESPIS 

Fiction  himself  shall  tell  how  many  times 
You  have  invoked  his  aid  to  fill  some  gap 
Your  bungling  scribes  made,  knowing  not  the  truth, 

HISTORY 
I  am  the  truth! 

THESPIS 

You  arrogate  too  much. 
Fiction  shall  teach  you  better.     Fiction,  ho! 

[calling  off  to  the  left. 
I  choke!     History  throttles  me  again, 
And  stifles  argument  in  clouds  of  cant! 
[Enter  FICTION. 

FICTION 
Who  calls  on  Fiction  ? 

THESPIS 

History  and  I. 

HISTORY 
I  called  you  not. 


THESPIS 

Then  I  did,  he  consenting. 
He  bragged  just  now,  "I  am  the  truth!" 

FICTION  (in  amused  surprise) 
He  said  so? 

THESPIS 
In  wrathful  vanity  accusing  me. 

FICTION 

He  will  not  say  he  never  called  on  me 
To  gloss  his  records  with  the  gilt  of  legend, 
Or  let  invention  limn  when  doubt  appeared. 

THESPIS 

I  firmly  do  assert  he  said  just  that 
When  I  set  forth  for  him  the  argument, 
The  portraitures  and  lessons  of  the  play 
Bohemia  shall  listen  to  within  this  vast 
And  soul-inspiring  playhouse  of  the  Gods, 
Builded  by  nature  for  her  yearly  revel. 

HISTORY 

Ay,  'twas  for  that  I  frowned  his  project  down, 
For  mummers  must  not  juggle  with  my  truths. 

FICTION 
Then  hear  me  speak! 

HISTORY 
Nay,  listen  first  to  me! 

[indicating  the  trees  and  sky  by  a  sweep  of  his  arms. 
Mark  you  yon  vaulted  blue  dimmed  by  the  night, 
Whose  million  upon  million  stars  keep  guard 
Above  the  loyal  hearts  of  Manhood's  kings 
That  beat  alone  for  Friendship's  glory.     See 
How  majestic  these  befeathered  spires 
Bend  not  beneath  Time's  burdens  thro'  the  ages; 


Nor  marred  by  tempests  of  a  thousand  years, 
Grope  upward  thro*  the  hazes  of  the  gorge, 
Wooing  the  breezes  into  requiems 
Of  fragrant  praise  to  Nature  and  to  God! 

FICTION  (with  a  low  bow) 
I  thrill  'neath  words  that  baffle  contradiction. 

HISTORY 

Each  of  those  stars  reflects  a  shining  truth; 
These  mighty  obelisks,  scarred,  gaunt  and  hoary, 
Are  living  monuments  to  Nature's  facts, 
Incontrovertible  as  flint  by  dust. 
So,  I  protest  these  hallowed  aisles  and  naves 
Should  ne'er  resound  with  song  or  spoken  word 
That  do  not  spring  from  out  the  loins  of  truth! 

FICTION 
Art  finished? 

HISTORY 
Ay. 

FICTION 

Well  said  and  well  bethought. 

THESPIS 

But  much  too  long,  methinks,  for  what  it  told. 
Too  many  words  engulf  the  tale  within  them. 

[FICTION  makes  a  restraining  gesture  to  THESPIS, 

FICTION 

One  question,  History.     If  its  reply 
Be  as  convincing  as  your  words  well  chosen, 
Then  I  have  finished  too. 

HISTORY 

That  were  but  just, 
For  I  weighed  well  my  words  and  spoke  not  idly. 

FICTION 
What  was  their  bearing  on  the  play  to-night? 

Fi61 


HISTORY 

The  subject's  mine,  its  truths  all  written  down 
So  that  posterity  may  read  them. 

FICTION 

Well? 
HISTORY 

For  this  it  should  be  held  inviolate 
From  any  tincturing  of  mere  invention. 
And  weak  romance  that  paints  the  baser  hues 
Of  human  nature:   envy,  love  and  lust. 

THESPIS 
'Twould  be  like  wine  that  never  had  fermented. 

FICTION 
Or  folk-lore  without  Legend's  poesies. 

HISTORY 

Folk-lore  and  Legend  blaspheme  History! 
ST.  JOHN  OF  NEPOMUK,  against  my  will, 

[pointing  to  THESPIS. 

Has  he  filched  from  my  records,  here  to  strut 
In  paint  and  tinsel  thro'  a  pagan  pageant. 

FICTION 

He  that  was  canonized  the  patron  saint 
Of  old  Bohemia  as  the  foe  of  scandal; 
Whose  breast  held  in  the  grip  of  loyal  fervor 
The  ugly  secret  of  a  guilty  QUEEN; 
Who  died  in  torture  with  his  conscience  dumb, 
Is  held  in  manly  reverence  and  awe 
By  that  newer  Bohemia  of  to-day. 
So,  THESPIS  wooed  him  from  thy  treasure  chest, 
To  live  again  here  on  this  stage  of  Nature, 
Where  oft  were  Fact  to  Fiction  haply  wed. 

[17] 


HISTORY  (with  much  earnestness) 
I  am  protector  of  the  living  truth 
That  never  dies,  and  JOHN'S  sainthood  is  truth. 
But  I've  no  record  of  JOANNA'S  guilt 
And  you  and  Legend  would  besmirch  her  soul. 

FICTION 

Then,  History,  your  records  are  besmirched! 
For  both  Legend  and  I  were  called  upon 
Out  of  the  spheres  of  beauteous  imag'ry, 
To  fill  the  voids  in  their  disputed  lores. 

HISTORY  (appealingly  to  THESPIS) 
THESPIS!     Deny  this  brazen  heresy 
That  would  make  History  a  thing  of  doubt 
And  weak  inconsequence.     Dispute  my  taste, 
But  not  my  hold  on  truth! 

THESPIS 

Alas!     I  fear 

That  I'm  heretic  too.     As  I  have  said, 
I  hold  that  Legend,  Fiction  and  Romance 
Supply  my  needs  far  better  than  mere  fact. 
Dispute  you  not  my  calling's  loyalty; 
It  is  my  mission  only  to  amuse, 
To  thrill,  instruct,  delight  and  entertain. 
Now,  sometimes  Fact  is  cold  as  cryptic  lore, 
And,  lest  my  patrons  shun  me,  I  perforce 
Must  call  sometimes  on  questionable  aid. 

HISTORY  (rising  angrily  to  his  feet) 
Then  do  I  ease  my  conscience  of  ye  both, 
And  purge  my  soul  of  any  willing  share 
In  this  fantastic  mime  that  mirrors  lies! 

HISTORY 

HISTORY  (coming  down  from  the  chair) 
Unto  the  wiser  Gods  of  high  Olympus 

[18] 


I  do  consign  the  fabric  of  to-night. 
And  be  they  merciful  to  him  that  made  it! 
[Exit  HISTORY. 

FICTION 
We've  won ! 

THESPIS 

So  must  the  play  or  we'll  have  failed, 
And  shall  no  more  come  to  Bohemia 
To  write  another  page  of  Friendship's  glory 
Into  the  tome  that  holds  her  history. 

FICTION 
United  be  the  Gods  'gainst  such  a  fate! 

THESPIS 

Amen,  with  all  my  soul!     But  where  we  lack, 
Music  is  by  with  trumpets,  drums  and  lutes, 
To  drown  our  faults  in  limpid  harmonies, 
And  quicken  dullness  with  the  lilts  of  song. 

FICTION 
Well  then,  let's  begin ! 

THESPIS 

What  ho,  without  there! 
A  trumpet's  call!     Bohemia's  host  is  here, 
To  judge  upon  the  pageant  of  the  year. 

[There  is  a  loud  flourish  of  trumpets  as  THESPIS  and 
FICTION  hurry  away  on  opposite  sides  >  and  the 
scene  fades  into  darkness. 

END  OF  THE  INDUCTION. 


THE    PLAY 

SCENE. — A  forest  distant  two  leagues  from  the  capital 
city  of  Prague,  Bohemia. 

A  river  is  indicated  crossing  at  the  foot  of  the  hillside. 
This  is  spanned  by  a  bridge,  at  the  end  of  which  is  a  short 
flight  of  steps  to  the  stage. 

On  the  right)  the  front  of  it  reaching  well  toward  the 
center,  is  a  magnificent  canopy ',  or  shelter  tent,  fashioned 
out  of  draperies  of  barbaric  and  Oriental  designs  and  colors. 
At  the  back  of  this  canopy  there  is  a  slightly  elevated  dais, 
on  which  are  two  thrones,  and  at  the  foot  of  the  dais  steps 
are  several  fanciful  seats  of  tab  aret  form. 

On  the  upper  center,  and  well  toward  the  back,  is  a  tem 
porary  shrine,  with  a  small  altar,  on  which  two  candles  are 
burning. 

It  is  the  hour  of  darkness  immediately  preceding  the 
dawn,  and  no  light  is  seen  except  from  the  two  candles  on 
the  altar  and  a  strong  ray  of  moonlight  shining  upon  it 
from  well  above  the  canopy. 

Through  the  darkness  at  the  back  may  be  detected  the 
light  of  flitting  fireflies  and  the  feebler  glimmer  of  glow 
worms. 

HAJEK,  the  Jester,  is  discovered  kneeling  by  the  altar, 
dimly  lighted  by  the  moonrays,  and  LABOCAN  stands  out  in 
the  moonlight  regarding  him.  TOMAK  is  on  guard  before 
the  throne,  but  is  unseen  save  when  he  paces  to  and  fro 
across  the  small  zone  of  moonlight.  MALEK  is  on  guard 
on  the  bridge,  and  other  soldiers  are  on  post  along  the  path 
ways. 

From  the  forest  depths  to  the  left  of  the  stage  is  heard  the 

[20l 


voice  of  SIGISMUND  singing.     As  the  song  begins,  LABOCAN 
turns  and  listens  intently ',  still  within  the  rays  of  the  moon. 
HAJEK  continues  at  his  devotions,  but  LABOCAN   and 
TOMAK  become  more  and  more  interested. 

BOHEMIAN  LOVE  SONG SIGISMUND 

THE  BLINDED  EYES  OF  LOVE 

i 

Fate  on  the  Page  of  History 
Writes  ever  of  Love's  mystery; 
How  can  it  win,  inspired  by  sin, 
Or  sent  from  Heaven  above? 
No  soul  but  yearns  to  feel  its  sway, 
No  heart  but  throbs  to  turn  astray; 
Black  silent  night  shuts  from  the  light 
The  Blinded  eyes  of  Love. 
(Refrain) 

Alone  Love  wanders  thro'  the  night 
Its  secret  mate  to  find; 
Behind  the  mantle  of  delight 
To  seek  its  bliss  in  kind. 
But  ah!   the  truth's  unmasked  for  me, 
That  Faith  can  pierce  Love's  mystery 
And  always  see  that  Love  must  be 
Forever,  ever  blind. 

ii 

So  ever  must  Love's  mystery 
Bedim  the  page  of  History, 
With  Hope's  fair  gleams  to  solve  its  dreams, 
Pure  as  the  spotless  dove. 
O  Love,  be  freed  from  dread  alarms; 
Live  'neath  the  sting  of  envy's  harms 

[21] 


And  strive  to  see  if  Fate  can  free 
The  Blinded  eyes  of  Love. 

(The  refrain  as  before) 

[As  the  last  strains  of  the  song  die  away,  and  HAJEK 
is  still  in  deep  prayer,  LABOCAN  becomes  impa 
tient  and  calls  him  testily.  At  the  same  time  the 
black  of  night  begins  to  give  place  to  the  purples 
of  dawn. 

LABOCAN 
HAJEK!    HAJEK  I  say!    What,  art  thou  deaf? 

HAJEK 
I  would  I  were  when  I'm  at  my  devotions! 

[rising  from  his  knees  and  coming  to  LABOCAN. 
The  devil  take  thy  scorpion  stings  of  temper! 

LABOCAN 
How  can  prayer  hurry  what  Fate  hath  in  store? 

HAJEK 

Well,  be  that  true  or  false,  Faith  thinks  it  can, 
And  even  Faith  that's  blind  hath  comfort  in  it. 

LABOCAN 

Will  it  turn  straight  thy  crooked  legs  and  back, 
Thy  face  that  women  greet  with  pitying  sighs, 
And  pewling  dirty  brats  delight  to  laugh  at? 

HAJEK 

Oh  fiddle-faddle!     Likewise,  bah,  re  viler! 
No  woman,  nay,  nor  yet  their  dirty,  pewling  brats, 
As  thy  spleen  calls  them,  ever  laughed  at  me. 

LABOCAN 
Scores  on  scores  of  times  I've  heard  them. 

HAJEK 
Laugh  ? 
I  grant  thee,  but  with  me  and  never  at  me. 

F22  1 


And  by  yon  moon  coquetting  with  the  tree-tops, 

There  is  a  difference  as  vast  as  that 

Between  her  radiance  and  the  shadows  yonder. 

[By  this  time  the  stage,  which  during  the  above  has 
been  growing  lighter,  is  now  sufficiently  so  to 
render  the  hillside  and  the  characters  more  visible. 
The  light  of  purpling  dawn  is  seen  to  creep  slowly 
down  the  hillside  from  the  summit,  and  a  charac 
teristic  theme  is  played  softly  by  the  orchestra  as 
HAJEK  continues. 

HAJEK 

Believe  me,  grim  and  sour-faced  LABOCAN, 
Whom  I  affect  to  love  with  lying  heart, 
There  never  yet  was  an  infirmity 
But  God  provided  compensation  for  it. 

[LABOCAN  makes  an  impatient  gesture  of  protest, 
which  HAJEK  checks. 

HAJEK 

Nay,  hear  me  speak.     Look  on  this  face  of  mine 
That  hath  no  feature  in't  kin  to  the  other; 
These  twisted  shoulders,  and  a  pair  of  legs 
So  gnarled  and  bent,  'twould  puzzle  any  eye 
To  guess  at  my  direction  when  I  walk. 
Thou  hast  a  face  a  sculptor'd  like  to  chisel; 
A  stature  that  might  make  Adonis  jealous, 
And  legs!     God's  truth!     Venus  might  wish  them  hers. 
Compare  that  form  with  mine,  then  laugh  at  it; 
Yet  for  thy  scorn  I'll  hold  no  bitterness, 
No  slightest  touch  of  envy  or  resentment, 
For  they  have  wed  me  to  a  merry  life, 
A  place  at  court,  the  love  of  men  and  women. 
And  yet  we  ever  are  like  black  and  white, 
The  one  foe  to  the  other.     No  lands  have  I; 

[23] 


I  have  no  wealth  save  glibness  of  the  tongue; 

Thou  hast  grown  rich  through  making  men  believe 

Invented  auguries  filched  from  the  stars. 

Now,  men  love  me  for  I  see  naught  but  sunshine, 

Whilst  thee  they  fear  for  that  thy  nature  throttles 

All  that  is  good  between  the  claws  of  evil. 

Thy  sighs  evoke  my  smiles,  thy  tears  my  laughter, 

Because  I've  love  and  faith  in  many  things, 

Thou  hatred  and  distrust  in  everything. 

[During  the]  above  speech  LABOCAN  has  been  list 
ening  with  a  hard,  unbending  countenance,  denot 
ing  an  attitude  of  inattention.  The  refrain  of 
SIGISMUND'S  song  is  heard  and  suddenly  LABO- 
CAN'S  manner  changes  to  one  of  suspicious 
animation. 

LABOCAN 
That  song  again ! 

HAJEK 

Have  I  then  talked  to  stone? 
Then  my  next  sermon  shall  be  preached  to  swine! 

[The  refrain  of  the  song  continues,  and  at  its  close 
VLADISLAV  appears  on  the  left  of  the  second 
stage  and  crosses  the  bridge  to  the  front.  TOMAK 
salutes  him  as  he  passes. 

HAJEK 

Had  I  a  song  like  that  I'd  woo  a  wife. 
Sing  coaxful  songs  if  thou  wouldst  win  with  women. 

LABOCAN 
Peace,  rattlebrain ! 

VLADISLAV 

Heard'st  thou  that,  LABOCAN? 
LABOCAN 
I  did.     It  ill  befits  the  season's  purpose. 


HAJEK 

A  very  pretty  song,  divinely  sung, 
And,  being  about  love,  befits  all  seasons. 
Where" were  there  breeding  else? 

LABOCAN 

O,  blessed  world, 
If  it  but  knew  'twould  breed  no  more  like  thee! 

[HAJEK  laughs.  VLADISLAV,  who  has  been  listening 
intently  as  if  for  a  repetition  of  the  song,  rejoins 
the  others. 

VLADISLAV 
I've  heard  that  song  before. 

HAJEK 

I'm  sorry  for  thee. 

VLADISLAV 
Why  sorry? 

HAJEK 

For  that  it  is  stale  to  thee, 
Yet  it  delights  my  soul  with  something  new, 
And  novelty's  the  leaven  of  good  nature. 

LABOCAN  (to  VLADISLAV) 
Suspicion  clouds  thine  eyes,  friend  VLADISLAV. 

VLADISLAV 

It  is  my  trade  to  angle  with  suspicion 
As  bait  to  catch  the  guilty. 

HAJEK 

God  be  praised, 

For  that  He  hath  endowed  me  with  a  soul 
That  hath  within  it  no  room  for  suspicion, 
While  each  of  you've  become  espoused  to  it. 

LABOCAN 
Peace,  chatterer! 

[251 


HAJEK 

I  chatter  to  some  purpose. 
But,  since  thine  ears  are  deaf  to  all  but  evil, 
Let  evil  have  its  swing,  whilst  I  recline 
To  conjure  jests  for  our  too  morbid  king. 

[HAJEK  moves  a  little  apart  and  reclines  reflectively^ 
while  LABOCAN  continues  with  VLADISLAV. 

LABOCAN 

What  was  there  in  that  minstrel's  trivial  song 
To  move  thee  to  suspicion,  VLADISLAV? 

VLADISLAV 

As  I  have  said,  I  heard  it  once  before 
From  SIGISMUND,  once  lover  of  our  QUEEN 
And  cast  aside  when  WENCESLAUS  was  crowned 
That  she  might  sit  beside  him  on  a  throne. 

[HAJEK  turns  toward  the  two,  listening  intently. 

LABOCAN 
Well  I  remember  that. 

VLADISLAV 

The  dynasty 

That  long  had  ruled  Hungaria  was  dead, 
Her  throne  untenanted,  and  WENCESLAUS 
Was  sued  to  name  a  royal  candidate. 
So,  lest  his  jilted,  still  love-sick  half  brother 
Continue  stolen  interviews  at  dead  of  night, 
To  tempt  a  queen  prone  to  adultery, 
He  wisely  named  him  for  Hungaria's  throne. 

HAJEK 

An  idle  tale,     (rising)     As  true  as  perjury, 
As  false  as  that  I  have  on  earth  no  friend, 
Or  LABOCAN  no  foe. 

LABOCAN 

Peace,  ere  I  strike! 

[26! 


VLADISLAV 
Stay,  stay!    Leave  him  to  me. 

[his  hand  on  his  sword  threateningly. 

Saidst  thou  I  lied? 

HAJEK  (shrinking  away  a  little  from  him) 
I  did  not  say  so  if  'twas  in  my  thought. 
And,  say  'twere  on  my  tongue;  What  wouldst  thou  do? 

VLADISLAV 
Why,  tear  it  out! 

HAJEK 

Then  I  perforce  must  lie, 
And  say  I  neither  said  nor  thought  it. 

[HAJEK  dodges  a  threatening  blow  from  VLADISLAV 
and  takes  a  position  up  near  the  bridge  as  VLADIS 
LAV  turns  to  LABOCAN. 

LABOCAN 

Well? 
VLADISLAV 

SIGISMUND  had  been  crowned  Hungaria's  king. 
The  feast  was  over,  and  with  plaintive  voice 
And  face  all  flooded  o'er  with  earnestness 
He  sang  the  crooning  song  we  heard  but  now. 
Next  day  'twas  shuttlecocked  about  the  court 
In  tones  unguarded,  and  with  whisperings 
Of  anxious  tremor,  that  twice  in  the  night 
He  sang  again  beneath  JOANNA'S  window, 
While  she  sat  streaming  tears  behind  her  lattice. 

[The  refrain  of  the  song  is  heard  in  the  distance -,  and 

both  men  start. 
By  all  the  saints,  he  still  is  there! 

[The  cloaked  and  veiled  form  of  a  woman  (QUEEN 
JOANNA)  is  seen  to  steal  nervously  from  the  right 
of  the  second  stage  and  proceed  in  the  direction  of 


the  voice.  HAJEK  recognizes  her  and  looks  nerv 
ously  at  the  two  men.  LABOCAN  detects  the  figure 
and  points. 

LABOCAN 

Look,  look! 

[As  the  QUEEN  reaches  the  spot  where  HAJEK  is 
standing  she  quickens  her  pace,  and  as  she  steals 
away  there  is  a  start  of  mutual  recognition.  As  she 
passes  out  of  sight  the  last  notes  of  the  refrain  die 
away  and  HAJEK  comes  down. 

VLADISLAV  (to  HAJEK) 
Was  it  the  QUEEN? 

HAJEK 

She  did  not  wait  to  say. 
Her  tongue  was  silent  and  her  form  so  veiled 
That  I  saw  not  if  she  were  black  or  white. 

VLADISLAV 
But  thou  dost  know  'twas  she. 

HAJEK 

Be  not  so  sure. 

For  I  believe  in  nothing  that  my  conscience 
Incites  me  to  forget,  so  please  you  both. 

VLADISLAV 
That  tells  us  nothing. 

HAJEK 

Then  let  nothing  serve, 
For  nothing's  nothing  most  when  nothing's  said. 

[VLADISLAV  makes  a  gesture  of  angry  impatience  and 
turns  up  the  stage. 

LABOCAN  (to  VLADISLAV) 
Where  now? 

[28] 


VLADISLAV 

To  clinch  or  deepen  my  suspicion 
That  assignation's  call  adulterous 
Is  heard  and  answered  by  our  saintly  QUEEN. 

[VLADISLAV    hurries    away    in    the    direction    of 
JOANNA'S  exit. 

HAJEK 
"Our  saintly  QUEEN."    Thou  heardst  him,  didst  thou  not? 

LABOCAN 
I  did,  and  caught  the  meaning  of  the  words. 

HAJEK 
I  caught  that  too. 

LABOCAN 

And  still  believe  her  blameless? 

HAJEK 

Here  doubt  becomes,  good  LABOCAN,  a  ball 
To  juggle  side  by  side  with  sentiment's; 
One  up,  one  down,  and  we  can  cast  away 
The  one  of  them  that's  foeman  to  our  wish. 
Now  my  wish  lets  doubt  fall  and  roll  away — 
Since  it  must  cloud  the  honor  of  my  QUEEN, — 
And,  true  or  false,  'tis  not  for  me  to  judge. 

LABOCAN 
Nor  me  to  clear  her  name. 

HAJEK 

Why,  look  thee  now; 
Yon  cringing,  sycophantic  spying  worm 
Is  well  prepared  to  spread  whatever  scandal 
The  court  of  WENCESLAUS  is  cursed  withal 
Without  thy  meddlesome,  conniving  friend. 

LABOCAN 
Call  me  not  friend. 

[29] 


HAJEK  (bowing) 

Oh,  as  thou  wilt,  sweet  foe. 
I  meant  it  for  a  jest,  not  sentiment. 

[Here  the  music  of  the  entree  of  JOHN  OF  NEPOMUK 
is  heard,  and  HAJEK  changes  his  tone. 

HAJEK 

Those  strains  announce  the  coming  of  the  Holy. 
Banish  all  doubt,  suspicion  and  the  like, 
And  on  thy  knees  learn  mercy  and  forgiveness. 

[LABOCAN  tries  to  speak,  but  HAJEK  stays  him  by  a 
commanding  gesture^  and  both  of  them  knee/,  well 
down  stage  a  little  to  the  right ',  as  the  retinue  of 
JOHN  OF  NEPOMUK  is  seen  descending  the  hill 
side. 

THE  ENTREE  OF  JOHN  OF  NEPOMUK. 

(ORDER  OF  PROCESSION.) 
/.     'Two  boys  with  smoking  censers. 
2.    A  Priest  in  vestments  bearing  the  Cross, 
j.    Chorus  of  Monks,  chanting. 

4.  Four  Acolytes  bearing  the  Tabernacle. 

5.  JOHN  OF  NEPOMUK  carrying  the  Cross. 

CHORUS  OF  MONKS. 
Alleluia!     Alleluia!     Alleluia! 
O,  Filii  et  Filiae, 
Rex  Coelestus,  Rex  Gloriae, 
Morte  surrexit  hodie, 

Alleluia! 

Et  mane  prima  sabbati, 
Ad  ostium  monumenti, 
Acceserunt  discipuli, 

Alleluia! 

[30] 


In  albis  sedens  Angelus, 
Praedixit  mulieribus 
In  Gallilea  est  Dominus, 
Alleluia! 

In  hoc  festo  sanctissimo, 
Sit  laus  et  jubilatio, 
Benedicamus  Domino, 

Alleluia! 

[Translation. 

Alleluia!     Alleluia!     Alleluia! 

Yes,  sons  and  daughters  of  the  Lord, 
The  King  of  Glory,  King  adored, 
This  day  himself  from  death  restored, 

Alleluia! 

All  in  the  early  morning  gray, 
Went  holy  women  on  their  way 
To  see  the  tomb  where  Jesus  lay. 

Alleluia! 

An  angel  clad  in  white  they  see, 
Who  sat  and  spake  unto  the  three: 
"Your  Lord  hath  gone  to  Galilee." 

Alleluia! 

On  this  most  holy  day  of  days, 
To  God  your  hearts  and  voices  raise, 
In  laud  and  jubilee  and  praise. 

Alleluia! 

[The  procession  moves  across  the  bridge  to  the  stage 
and  past  the  throne  which  JOHN  blesses.  He  then 
crosses  to  the  altar  followed  by  the  Monks,  kneels 


before  it  for  a  moment >  then  faces  front  and  in 
vokes  the  blessing. 

JOHN 
Dominus  vobiscum! 

MONKS 
Et  cum  spiritu  tuo! 

JOHN 
Benedicamus  Domino! 

MONKS 
Amen !    Amen ! 

{The  MONKS  and  ACOLYTES  form  in  solemn  proces 
sion^  march  across  the  bridge  and  of  to  the  left. 
JOHN  comes  down  slowly,  sees  TOMAK  kneeling 
before  the  throne  and  blesses  him.  Then  similarly 
blesses  LABOCAN  and  HAJEK. 

JOHN 

Arise,  my  sons.  (BOTH  rise]  With  souls  all  purged  I  know, 
Of  spite  and  sin,  and  scandal's  burning  stain. 

HAJEK 
Mine  is  almost  so  purged,  O  Holy  Father. 

JOHN  (to  LABOCAN) 

But  thine!     Alas!    Poor  pagan  LABOCAN, 
Where  is  thy  faith,  to  glint  with  reverence 
The  holy  radiance  of  this  Eastertide? 

LABOCAN  (bowing  humbly) 
Great  Vicar  General,  what  faith  I  have, 
I  lock  within  my  conscience  as  mine  own 
Rather  than  flaunt  it  like  a  peddler's  cry 

[with  a  cynical  glance  at  HAJEK] 
As  others  do. 

HAJEK  (laughingly] 
Another  shaft  that  missed. 

[32] 


JOHN  (to  LABOCAN) 

I  pity  thee.     (to  HAJEK)     But  I  can  say  of  thee 
That  in  thy  faith,  expressed  in  act  and  voice. 
There  is  as  much  of  humble  reverence 
As  in  the  soul  of  him  that  would  conceal  it. 

HAJEK 
I  thank  thee,  Father,  that  we  so  agree. 

JOHN 

Now  warn  for  me  the  faithful,  who  but  wait 
To  know  the  time  when  WENCESLAUS  shall  come 
For  worship  in  these  Nature-pillared  halls, 
Away  from  heresies  that  mock  our  faith. 

[HAJEK  and  LABOCAN  move  toward  the  left.  HAJEK 
exits  after  a  bow  to  JOHN,  but  LABOCAN  tarries 
reflecting. 

JOHN 

Why  tarry,  LABOCAN  ?     Upon  thy  face 
Conscience  hath  seemed  to  trace  foreboding  clouds 
That  should  be  absent  from  the  sacred  feast 
But  now  beginning. 

LABOCAN 

Thou  dost  read  aright, 

Transcendent  Vicar.     Warnings  from  the  stars 
Indeed  have  written  dread  upon  my  face 
Of  sinful  happenings  at  hand. 

JOHN 

From  whom? 

Who,  blind  unto  the  canons  of  the  Church, 
Would  stoop  to  taint  with  even  thought  of  sin 
The  sacramental  feastings  of  to-day? 

LABOCAN 
No  less  a  person  than  our  vaunted  QUEEN. 

[331 


JOHN  (very  severely) 

Tell  me  no  more!    Along  the  path  of  years 
An  hundred  times  have  I  rebuked  thy  nature, 
Which  finds  no  good  in  either  man  or  woman. 

[VLADISLAV  is  seen  approaching  across  the  bridge 
from  the  left. 

LABOCAN  (noting  the  approach  of  VLAD 
ISLAV) 
But  now  suspicion  is  affirmed  by  truth! 

JOHN 

All  doth  depend  upon  who  speaks  that  truth. 
For  truths  will  lies  become  when  framed  by  hate. 
[VLADISLAV  has  now  come  to  them. 

LABOCAN 

Mine  affirmation's  come  and  thou  shalt  hear 
Suspicion  deep  submerged  in  floods  of  truth. 

[addressing  VLADISLAV] 
Hail  VLADISLAV!     Our  gracious  Vicar  here 
Refuseth  to  believe  that  venal  sin 
Can  taint  the  fervent  soul  of  QUEEN  JOANNA. 

VLADISLAV 
He  always  did. 

JOHN 

And  always  shall,  my  son, 
Until  these  eyes  behold  the  sin  unmasked 
So  surely  that  concealment's  cloak  were  lifted 
And  she  stood  blushing  in  her  naked  guilt. 

LABOCAN 
Speak,  VLADISLAV,  concealing  nothing. 

JOHN 
Ay, 

Equivocation  is  the  liar's  casque 

[34] 


To  shield  his  face  from  truth's  defying  challenge, 
Proceed,  I'll  listen. 

VLADISLAV 

At  the  coronation 

Of  SIGISMUND,  hast  thou  forgotten  how 
A  single  song  he  sang  plunged  all  the  court 
In  screaming  gossip,  till  KING  WENCESLAUS 
In  jealous  rage  declared  the  feasts  adjourned 
And  hurried  back  to  Prague? 

JOHN  (sadly) 

That  I  remember. 

VLADISLAV 

That  song  was  here  but  now,  piercing  the  mists 
Of  darkened  dawn  with  tuneful  plaintiveness, 
To  lure  the  soul  of  guilt  with  its  refrain. 
The  voice  was  SIGISMUND'S  by  any  penance 
That  in  thy  will  thou  may'st  impose  upon  me. 
Soon  it  was  answered  by  the  skulking  form 
Of  her  who  waited  for  it,  stealing  there 
Across  the  moon-rays  far  into  the  forest. 
[HAJEK.  returns  from  left  and  listens. 

JOHN 
Go  on. 

VLADISLAV 

I  followed.     But  with  that  deceit 
That's  treason's  gift  to  charm  away  distrust, 
This  guilty  twain  seemed  merged  into  the  haze 
Of  gathering  dawn  like  smoke  lost  in  the  night. 

JOHN 
Still  thou  hast  told  me  nothing. 

HAJEK 

Less  than  that! 

[351 


VLADISLAV 

The  woman  was  none  other  than  the  QUEEN, 
The  minstrel  SIGISMUND  upon  mine  oath! 

JOHN 
How  know'st  thou  that, — didst  see  her  face? 

VLADISLAV 

Why  no. 

But  shall  guilt  go  unpunished  for  the  lack 
Of  eyes  to  see  and  ears  to  hear  the  truth  ? 

LA BOCA N 

Conviction  is  enough,  O  holy  man, 
And  I'm  convinced  as  he. 

JOHN 

Tis  not  enough! 

No  drop  of  blood  shall  fall,  no  cutting  lash 
Mangle  the  quivering  flesh,  no  soul  be  lost 
Or  reputation  stained,  when  those  accused 
May  seek  the  healing  salve  of  one  small  doubt. 
If  there  be  doubt,  then  should  no  judgment  hold; 
If  there  be  guilt,  let  fall  the  ax  of  law. 
'Tis  mere  suspicion  that  is  brought  me  here, 
And  I  shall  mangle  any  cloak  of  doubt 
That  dims  the  lustre  of  the  reverence 
Bohemia  holds  for  her  beloved  Ouv    x 

[HAJKK  for  AMU  mmcimg  Jttp  imtrrtst  in  the  scene. 

VLADISLAV 
Still  I  protest— 

LABOCAX 
And  I! 
JOHN 

Protest  ao  more! 
1  vlo  forbul  vc  both  t\>  speak  of  thi\ 


Upon  the  pain  of  penance  most  severe, 
Until  doubt  yields  to  truth  inviolate. 

VLADISLAV 

I  purpose  naught  but  that,  and  still  believe 
That  QUEEN  JOANNA  hath  met  SIGISMUND, 
And,  disobeying  what  her  Lord  commanded, 
Will  not  be  present  at  the  feasts  to-day. 
Say  she  were  not.     Where  then  protecting  doubt  ? 

[Two  Heralds  appear  high  up  on  the  hillside  and 
come  down  to  the  middle  distance. 

VLADISLAV 
Where  then  thy  priestly  reverence  for  her? 

JOHN 
Gone! 

VLADISLAV 
Is't  agreed  her  absence  proves  her  guilt? 

JOHN 
Beyond  all  doubt,  but,  trust  me,  she'll  be  there! 

[The  Heralds  blow  long  blasts  from  their  trumpets. 

JOHN 

Lo!  'tis  the  signal  that  we  soon  shall  know 
How  once  again  Scandal's  envenomed  tongue 
Is  struck  dumb  by  the  touch  of  innocence. 

LABOCAN  (bitterly) 

Or  how  the  Church  absolves  the  powerful, 
It  matters  not  how  deeply  steeped  in  sin. 

JOHN 
Praise  be  to  God  it  can  absolve  thee  too. 

[VLADISLAV  and  LABOCAN  come  down  and  take  posi 
tions  slightly  to  the  left  of  center  facing  the  canopy. 
[John  mounts  the  steps  to  the  bridge  and  the  Monks 
appear  from  the  left,  cross  the  bridge  and  group 
about  the  altar. 

[37] 


[HAJEK  joins  LABOCAN  and  VLADISLAV,  with  anx 
ious  looks  toward  the  hillside. 

[Peasants  appear  from  over  the  bridge,  in  a  boat 
that  moves  on  from  the  right  in  the  river >  and  form 
groups  on  the  left. 

[JOHN  stands  waiting  at  the  foot  of  the  steps. 

[The  music  of  the  Entree  of  the  KING  and  QUEEN, 
which,  during  the  above,  has  been  subdued  to 
create  the  effect  of  distance,  now  wells  forth  loudly 
for  the 


GRAND  ENTREE  OF  THE  KING  AND  QUEEN, 

(ORDER  OF  PROCESSION.) 

/.  A  Priest  carrying  the  Cross. 

2.  Four  Acolytes, 

j.  Sixteen  soldiers. 

4.  BALBINUS,  Court  Chamberlain. 

5.  Four  pages. 

6.  KING  WENCESLAUS  (mounted). 

7.  *£wo  soldiers. 

8.  QUEEN  JOANNA  in  a  palanquin. 

9.  Four  ladies  of  the  Court. 

ENTRANCE  MARCH  AND  CHORUS. 

Hail,  Hail,  Bohemia! 

Quest  of  the  loyal  brave; 
Hail,  hail,  Bohemia! 

Land  of  the  foeman's  grave. 
Hail,  hail,  Bohemia, 

Fair  home  of  the  ever  free, 
Glorious  Bohemia, 

We  give  our  lives  for  thee ! 

[38] 


We  live  to  limn  thy  weal, 
We  glory  in  thy  zeal, 
Bohemia,  Bohemia, 
Let  paeans  loudly  peal. 
For  thou  must  live  to  glorify 
The  friendship  that  can  never  die, 

Bohemia,  Bohemia, 
Whose  sons  should  never  sigh. 
]f¥hen  the  procession  reaches  the  second  stage,  its 
-participants  group  on  the  lower  stage  and  wait 
for  the  KING  and  QUEEN.     The  KING  assists  the 
QUEEN  from  the  palanquin  and,  after  JOHN  has 
blessed  them,  he  escorts  them  to  the  throne,  taking 
a  position  at  the  foot  of  the  steps  near  the  QUEEN. 

HAJEK  (to  VLADISLAV  and  LABOCAN) 
A  lie  choked  at  its  birth!     The  QUEEN  is  there! 

CHORUS. 

(Continuing  after  the  KING  and  QUEEN  are  seated?) 
The  poets  shall  write  of  thy  glory  and  fame, 
And  voices  of  Friendship  thy  lore  shall  acclaim, 
The  deeds  of  the  just  shall  be  writ  in  thy  name, 
Bohemia,  Bohemia! 
Huzza,  huzza,  huzza! 

[At  the  close  of  the  chorus,  JOHN,  who  is  standing  at 
the  altar,  offers  the  Benediction,  all  kneeling. 

JOHN 
Benedicite! 

OMNES 
Amen,  amen,  amen! 

KING 

Arise,  ye  faithful  of  Bohemia, 
And  learn  why,  in  obedience  to  your  King, 
Ye  are  assembled  in  these  forest  shades; 

[39] 


Where  cant  and  prejudice  must  never  come. 

Nor  malice  tear  sweet  Friendship's  bond  apart. 

We  come  in  reverence  to  celebrate 

The  ceremonials  of  Holy  Easter, 

That  mark  the  closing  of  the  Lenten  fast, 

In  merry  revel  and  unbridled  cheer. 

JOHN  (coming  to  the  center) 
List,  royal  one!    How  bow  with  reverence 
Amidst  the  ravings  of  unbridled  orgie? 
How  stand  in  Heaven's  presence  flushed  with  wine 
That  never  knew  the  chalice  of  the  Church, 
Nor  softened  'neath  the  glow  of  sanctity? 

KING  (impatiently) 
Opposest  thou  again  my  spoken  will? 

JOHN 

I  do  oppose  all  revels,  orgies,  songs, 
Blaspheming  jests  and  dances  that  breed  lust 

[pointing  to  the  peasants. 
Within  these  natures  innocent  of  all. 

KING 

I  say  I've  had  enough  these  forty  days 
Of  masses,  vespers,  missions  and  retreats. 
Enough  of  silence  in  my  banquet  halls; 
Prayers  in  my  chamber,  and  my  privy  council 
Echoing  ever  murmurings  of  priests 
Against  the  inroads  made  upon  our  faith 
By  so-called  heretics  led  by  JOHN  Huss. 

JOHN 

Thou  didst  deny  our  right  to  drive  them  out, 
To  stifle  these  rebellious  heresies. 

KING  (becoming  more  impatient) 
I  shall  deny  no  man  the  right  to  pray 
In  any  form  or  tongue  he  may  elect, 

[40] 


Provided  treason  sways  no  flaming  torch 
To  burn  away  the  lustre  of  my  throne. 

JOHN  (with  great  earnestness} 
Still  I  do  warn  thee 

KING  (interrupting  hotly) 

This  is  not  the  time 
For  matters  of  religious  argument! 
For  see  how  frown  my  patient  subjects  there, 
Affrighted  that  their  forty  days  of  shrift 
May  not  be  leavened  by  our  Easter  revel, 
Whose  promise  long  hath  wooed  their  appetites 
And  made  their  consciences  fear  all  religion. 

JOHN 
Amazement  chills  my  blood! 

MONKS  (holding  out  their  arms  in  sup 
plication) 

And  mine,  and  mine! 

QUEEN 

So  does  it  mine,  and  urges  this  my  soul 
To  fling  away  my  love,  kill  my  respect, 
And  shun  allegiance  to  a  KING  like  thee! 

[During  the  above  dispute  the  lookers  on  have  been 
evincing  mingled  surprise  and  alarm  and  divide 
themselves  into  groups  according  to  their  ranks. 

KING  (in  deep  sarcasm) 

Does  it  all  that?     What  right  hast  thou  to  speak 
Defiant  to  fulfillment  of  my  will? 
When  hast  thou  ever  entertained  for  me 
Allegiance,  love,  or  even  cold  respect? 

JOHN 

I  know  that  thou  dost  wrong  thy  royal  mate, 
Deeply  as  though  thou  didst  accuse  her  soul 
Of  machinations  to  destroy  the  State. 


KING  (with  deep  meaning) 
Time  was  when  rumor  hath  said  even  that! 
Thou  knowest  all  that's  hidden  in  that  soul, 
And  would  I  had  the  power  to  wrest  it  from  thee ! 

JOHN 

Ay,  twice  before  thou  hast  tried  that  and  failed, 
With  prison  and  with  torture.     Still  again, 
I  hurl  rebuke  'gainst  that  unholy  taunt 
Upon  the  lock  of  the  confessional, 

[pointing  to  the  altar] 
Within  the  shadow  of  the  Cross  of  Christ! 

KING  (in  deep  rage) 
Then  take  the  cross  away! 

[Consternation  is  shown  by  all  upon  the  stage,  and 
JOHN  regards  the  KING  for  a  moment  in  speech 
less  amazement. 

QUEEN  (rising  in  horror) 

No,  no,  not  that! 

Thou  dost  not  mean  such  cruel  blasphemy 
Against  the  shining  symbol  of  our  faith! 
Recall  it,  O,  my  Lord,  recant  I  pray  thee! 

KING 
Sit  down!     I  will  recall  no  single  word! 

JOHN  (with  uplifted  arm,  to  the  assem 
blage) 

Upon  your  knees  all  of  ye  that  are  faithful, 
And  plead  forgiveness  for  this  selfish  KING 
Who  holds  mad  revel  paramount  to  prayer! 

[All  kneel  reverently  except  the  KING  and  HAJEK. 
The  QUEEN  remains  seated,  bowing  her  head  rev 
erently,  and  the  KING  stands  as  if  reflecting  upon 
the  nature  of  his  reply. 

[42] 


LABOCAN  (to  HAJEK) 
Why  kneel'st  thou  not? 

HAJEK 

Why,  I  am  deep  in  thought. 
For  in  a  conflict  'twixt  the  Church  and  State 
I  am  in  doubt  which  of  the  two  to  serve 
And  hold  mine  office.     But  I  think  I'll  kneel. 
And  cheat  my  conscience  to  the  safer  side. 

JOHN  (who  for  several  moments  has  been 

regarding  the  KING  severely) 

Why  stand  'st  thou  there  in  stern  rebellious  silence, 
Defiant  of  my  just  command  to  kneel? 

KING 

Tis  not  defiance.     Thou  nor  no  one  else, — 
Even  the  power  that  rules  the  Church  at  Rome, — 
Shall  question  mine  allegiance  to  my  faith. 
But  I  will  have  my  way!     Rise  all  of  you! 

[All  rise  and  contemplate  the  throne  inquiringly. 

KING 

I  am  the  KING:  what  I  decree  is  law, 
And  'tis  my  wish  the  revels  shall  come  first. 

JOHN  (in  sore  amazement) 
Amazement  now  curbs  even  power  of  speech, 

[bowing  his  head  as  though  conscious  oj  defeat. 
And  'neath  the  spell  of  such  irreverence 
One  without  sense  or  reason  were  my  master. 

KING 

So  be  it  then.     Such  shall  decide  between  us. 
We'll  leave  it  to  a  fool.     Is  HAJEK  there? 

HAJEK  (moving  to  the  front  of  the  throne) 
He 's  here  or  there  as  thou  wouldst  will,  my  liege. 
Now  I  am  here,  not  there. 

[43] 


KING 

Thou  hast  heard  all 
These  flights  of  temper  'twixt  the  Church  and  me? 

HAJEK  (glibly) 

Mine  ears  are  ever  open,  baited  well 
To  catch  all  sprats  of  human  frailty.     For 
I  am  of  choice  a  fawning  sycophant 
Who  can  hang  on  both  horns  of  a  dilemma 
Or  argue  as  may  best  subserve  my  purpose, 
On  this  or  that  side  of  an  argument. 

KING  (greatly  -pleased) 
Good!     I  have  summoned  into  conference 
A  fool  who's  wise  enough  to  be  sincere, — 

[With  a  meaning  glance  at  the  QUEEN,  which  she 

tries  to  evade. 

Or  false  as  woman's  love,  according  to 
His  humors  or  his  needs.     Continue,  fool. 

HAJEK 

It  doth  amaze  me  that  so  wise  a  KING, 
Who  can  read  every  fawning  courtier's  soul, 
Should  call  on  one  who  nurses  the  worst  blemish 
That  man's  accursed  withal. 

KING 

And  what  is  that? 

HAJEK 

Why,  selfishness.     Those  few  who  are  without  it 
We  find  in  legend  and  in  fairy  tales. 
There  have  been  some,  I  grant,  who  have  it  not, 
But  they've  been  canonized  and  turned  to  Saints. 

JOHN 

Must  I,  the  Lord's  anointed,  lend  mine  ear 
Unto  the  flippant  jests  and  heresies 
Of  this  blasphemer  who  deceives  for  hire  ? 

[44] 


HAJEK  (bowing  in  reverence) 
I  grant  your  grace;  all  of  these  sins  are  mine 
Save  that  I  do  blaspheme.     My  faith  forbids  it. 
Yet  coward  conscience  fears  to  disobey. 

KING 
What  is  thine  answer?    Thy  prologues  are  dull. 

QUEEN 
Ah,  good,  my  Lord,  why  mock  this  holy  day  ? 

KING  (in  deep  sarcasm) 

So  then,  thou  art  alive!     I  thought  thee  dead, 
For  thou'st  been  dumb  and  silent  as  a  corpse, 
With  visage  frozen  and  impenetrable, 
As  if  'twere  cast  in  bronze.     Dost  thou  rebel 
Against  my  wish  again  ? 

QUEEN 

Again,  my  Lord, 

And  yet  again  must  this  my  voice  cry  out 
Against  this  mockery  upon  our  faith, 
That  leaves  such  grave  decision  to  a  knave! 

[HAJEK  betrays  some  nervousness  at  being  in  such 
embarrassing  position. 

KING 
Why  should  he  not  decide  when  I  command  it? 

QUEEN 

Because  'tis  monstrous  that  a  jester's  quip 
Can  turn  to  naught  an  edict  from  the  Church. 

KING  (with  much  bitterness) 
Look  in  thy  soul  for  what  is  hidden  there; 
I'll  unmask  mine  and  challenge  thee  to  show 
Which  one  most  shuns  the  danger  of  exposure. 

[The  QUEEN   starts  as   if  conscience  stricken  and 
sinks  into  her  seat. 

[451 


That  thrust,  methinks,  sank  deep  into  thy  conscience, 
Which  none  may  read  save  thy  confessor  there. 
And  in  good  time  I'll  wring  thy  secrets  from  him. 

JOHN 
Thou  canst  not! 

KING 

By  my  crown  I'll  find  some  way 
To  tear  the  mask  from  off  her  hidden  guilt! 

JOHN 
There  is  no  way  save  through  the  voice  of  God. 

KING 

The  voice  of  God  checks  not  the  will  of  Kings, 
And  mine  hath  spoken.     But  enough  of  this. 
It  is  my  wish  to  have  this  wisdom's  fool 
Decide  if  mass  or  revel  shall  come  first. 
Speak,  HAJEK. 

HAJEK  (as  if  trying  to  evade  the  sought 

for  answer) 

Gracious  liege,  the  wisdom  in  me 
Nudges  my  conscience  with  a  prodding  thumb 
And  bids  me  'ware  of  such  a  grave  decision, 
On  which  doth  rest  three  potent  influences. 

KING 
What  influences? 

HAJEK 

Thou,  my  royal  liege, 
The  Vicar  General,  and  my  beauteous  QUEEN. 

KING 
Do  as  I  bid  thee  or  I'll  have  thee  flogged! 

HAJEK 

That  wages  war  'twixt  cowardice  and  courage, 
And  courage  loses,  for  these  twisted  shoulders 
Are  marred  enough  already. 


KING 

Speak,  I  say! 

HAJEK 

I  fear  I  talk  too  much,  and  that's  a  fault 
That  leads  to  half  the  mischief  of  the  world. 

KING 

Thou  talk'st  too  much,  indeed.     Would'st  thwart  my  pur 
pose? 

HAJEK 

I  could  not  if  I  would.     This  my  decision. 

[All  listen  eagerly  for  the  decision. 
If  we  hold  revels  first,  I  fear  me  much 
There'll  be  so  many  of  us  steeped  in  sin 
That  there  would  not  be  priests  enough  to  shrive  us. 
Hold  masses  first,  confessors  will  inspire 
Our  souls  with  so  much  humble  reverence 
That  there  would  be  no  revels.     And  since  they 
Stand  first  among  the  wishes  of  the  KING, 
And  to  oppose  them  might  inspire  his  wrath, 
We'll  hold  the  revels  first. 

KING 
Good!    Come,  begin! 

[The  decision  meets  the  approval  of  all  except  the 
QUEEN,  LABOCAN,  VLADISLAV  and  the  clericals. 
This  disapproval  is  indicated  by  the  dividing  of  the 
crowd  into  excited  groups,  according  to  sympathy. 
JOHN  comes  down  from  his  position  not  far  from  the 
throne. 

JOHN 
One  plea,  O  King,  and  I  am  done. 

KING 

Well,  name  it. 

[471 


JOHN 

Since  revels  must  come  first,  I  beg  of  thee 
That  they  be  held  not  here  where  they  must  bring 
Defilement  to  the  symbols  of  our  faith. 

KING  (with  determination) 
I'll  have  my  throne,  for  once  in  all  my  reign, 
Drenched  in  the  atmosphere  of  pleasure,  joy 
And  license  unrestrained  midst  floods  of  wine. 

JOHN  (holding  out  his  arms  pleadingly) 
Not  here,  my  son,  not  here!    Respect  the  tears 
That  fall  adown  the  cheeks  of  reverence, 
Appalled  that  this  our  shrine  were  so  defiled. 

QUEEN 
My  suit  with  his.    Recant  this  hideous  wrong! 

KING 

Silence!  Who  bade  thee  speak?    I'll  have  my  will, 
And  if  'twill  bring  defilement  to  the  shrine, 
Take  it  away  as  I  have  said  before. 

[JOHN  bows  his  head  and  is  about  to  proceed  to  the 
altar,  when  the  QUEEN  stays  him. 

QUEEN 
I  will  go  with  thee. 

[She  starts  to  join  JOHN,  when  the  KING  seizes  her 
wrist  and  forces  her  back  upon  the  throne. 

KING 
Stay!    Do  thou  not  stir! 

QUEEN  (struggling  to  be  released) 
Thou  shalt  not  force  me  to  this  hideous  feast. 

KING  (still  holding  her) 
What,  shall  not? 

QUEEN 
No! 

[48] 


JOHN 

Love,  honor  and  obey! 
That  was  thy  marriage  vow! 

QUEEN 
Thou  tell'st  me  that? 

JOHN 

It  was  thy  vow,  thine  oath! 

[The  QUEEN  bows  her  head  in  submission  and  the 
KING  laughs  at  her.  JOHN  goes  to  the  altar  and 
the  Monks  and  some  of  the  peasants  crowd  about  it. 

KING 

Ha,  ha,  ha,  ha!    I  thank  thee  rev'rend  father, 

That  thou'st  reminded  my  rebellious  wife 

Of  what  she  had  forgotten.    What  ho,  there! 

Fill  up  the  tankards  full  and  bring  the  cups. 

We'll  pledge  the  glories  of  our  Easter  feast, 

And  when  'tis  o'er,  those  of  us  who  have  sinned 

In  penitence  will  sue  for  absolution. 

[The  altar  has  by  this  time  been  lifted  by  four  Monks, 
and  the  procession  led  by  JOHN  comes  down  to  the 
steps  leading  to  the  bridge.  On  beholding  the  pro 
cession  all  bow  with  reverence ,  including  the  KING. 
The  QUEEN  hurries  from  the  throne ',  meets  JOHN 
at  the  foot  of  the  bridge  steps ,  and  extends  her  arms 
appealingly. 

JOHN 
Patience,  my  daughter.    When  'tis  o'er,  I  come. 

[The  procession  bearing  the  altar  moves  across  the 
bridge  and  of  to  the  left,  headed  by  JOHN.  While 
the  music  of  the  procession  has  been  played^  all 
have  maintained  an  attitude  of  reverence.  This  is 
changed  to  one  of  gaiety  when  servants  enter  bearing 

[49] 


tankards  and  wine  cups  on  frays,  and  the  QUEEN 
has  returned  to  the  throne. 

{A  large  table  is  brought y  which  is  placed  in  the  front 
of  the  canopy.  As  soon  as  the  religious  procession 
has  disappeared  and  the  cups  are  ready^  the  KING 
speaks. 

KING  (with  two  cups  in  his  hand) 
Attention,  all!    The  QUEEN  begins  the  feast! 
[Offers  her  a  cup. 

QUEEN 
What,  I? 

KING 

Love,  honor  and  obey,  he  said. 
And,  by  the  mass,  I  will  have  one  of  them ! 

QUEEN  (taking  the  cup,>  thinks  for  a  mo 
ment  >  then  elevates  it.) 
Drink  we  in  hope  of  a  repentant  KING; 
May  God  forgiveness  for  his  errors  bring, 
Mercy  for  those  who  do  excite  his  ire, 
And  burn  suspicion  in  Truth's  endless  fire. 
To  true  Bohemia!    May  traditions  sweet 
Lead  in  the  paths  of  right  her  wand'ring  feet. 
Come  ne'er  dissension  to  enmesh  her  glory, 
And  write  Fate  naught  but  honor  in  her  story! 

(she  elevates  the  cup  and  drinks) 
Bohemia! 

KING 
Good! 

(raising  his  cup) 
Bohemia! 

OMNES 

To  Bohemia! 

[50] 


[As  all  drink  HAJEK,  who  has  not  taken  a  cup,  goes 
close  to  LABOCAN  and  speaks. 

HAJEK 
Would  I  had  cut  my  throat  before  I  spoke! 

LABOCAN 
'Twere  better  if  thou  hadst,  poor  prattling  fool ! 

HAJEK 

The  only  thing  thou'st  ever  said  to  me, 
That  went  not  in  this  ear  and  out  at  this. 

[emphasizing  by  touching  both  of  his  ears. 

KING 

Ho  Chamberlain!    Thy  voice  is  full  of  music; 
A  song  from  thee,  and  be  it  one  of  wine ! 

DRINKING  SONG BALBINUS 

"DRINK  TO  OUR  GLORIOUS  KING" 

BALBINUS 
Who  shuns  the  drink  in  the  ruddy,  ruddy  bowl? 

CHORUS 

Not  we,  no,  no,  no,  not  we! 
BALBINUS 
Who  lacks  the  thrill  of  the  merry,  merry  soul  ? 

CHORUS 

Not  we,  no,  no,  no,  not  we ! 
BALBINUS 

Then  while  there's  light  in  the  morning  sky 
Or  speed  in  the  falcon's  wing; 
Or  glow  in  the  fire  of  the  lover's  eye, 
Or  flowers  on  the  breast  of  Spring; 
We'll  drink,  drink,  drink  till  our  eyes  flash  fire 
In  an  orgie  of  Friendship's  thrill; 


We'll  laugh  at  the  taunts  of  the  weakling's  ire 
And  sing  with  a  right  good  will; 
So  lives  there  joy  in  the  merry,  merry  soul, 
And  mad  delight  in  the  ruddy,  ruddy  bowl, 
Let  trumpets  blare  and  dingle-dangles  toll, 
As  we  drink  to  our  glorious  KING  ! 

BALBINUS 

A  fig  care  I  for  the  weakling  blade 
Who  loves  not  the  flagons  filled; 
Come  rather  death  than  the  life  that's  made 
To  never  with  drink  be  thrilled. 
Now  as  there's  blood  that  is  warm  and  red 
In  the  veins  of  the  brave  and  strong, 
Or  pride  in  the  souls  that  have  fought  and  bled 
Or  right  that  can  laugh  at  wrong; 
So  lives  there  joy  in  the  merry,  merry  soul, 
And  mad  delight  in  the  ruddy,  ruddy  bowl, 
Let  trumpets  blare  and  dingle-dangles  toll 
As  we  drink  to  our  glorious  KING  ! 

CHORUS 

Drink!  Drink!  Drink!  Drink! 
Drink  deep  to  our  glorious  KING! 
Drink!  Drink!  Drink!  Drink! 
To  WENCESLAUS,  our  KING. 

[All  take  long  draughts  from  the  cups,  ending  with  a 
prolonged  A-h-h-h ' 

KING  (speaking  from  the  throne  to 

LABOCAN) 

Thou'st  long  been  dumb,  prophetic  LABOCAN. 
What  do  thy  stars  portend  this  festal  day? 

LABOCAN 
Last  night  I  saw  in  them  no  sign  but  evil. 

[During  the  following  lines  the  KING  betrays  signs  of 
rapidly  rising  anger. 

[52] 


LABOCAN 

No  portent  save  of  trouble  to  the  State, 
With  everywhere  the  cries  of  torture's  pain 
And  thine  own  feet  mired  deep  in  streams  of  blood. 

KING  (in  a  towering  rage) 
I'll  have  thy  life  for  this! 

LABOCAN 

I  only  told 
What  last  night  I  saw  written  in  the  stars. 

KING 

They  lied!    And  till  thy  stars  have  told  thee  so, 
Show  not  thy  face  again  in  court.    Begone! 

[LABOCAN  starts  to  go,  and  the  KING  stays  him. 

KING 

But  stay.    Get  me  the  proofs  of  things  implied, 
And  evils  coming,  or,  off  with  thy  head! 

[He  waves  LABOCAN  off  to  the  right  by  a  sweep  of  the 
handy  and  then  summons  HAJEK. 

KING 
Come  hither,  HAJEK. 

HAJEK  approaches  him  as  if  afraid. 

Nearer!    What  dost  think? 
HAJEK 

I'd  rather  whisper  softly  what  I  think 
Of  LABOCAN,  dread  Sire. 
KING 

Nay,  not  of  him. 
But  of  his  message  from  the  stars  last  night. 

HAJEK 

My  liege,  I've  no  acquaintances  with  stars, 
Save  those  that  make  strange  twinkles  when  I'm  drunk. 
Then,  to  my  vision,  stranger  things  than  stars 

[53] 


Flit  in  fantastic  figures,  forms  and  faces, 
In  such  wild  contrast  with  this  mask  of  mine 
That  I  believe  myself  a  thing  of  beauty 
Without  a  care  in  all  this  babbling  world. 

KING 
But  what  of  LABOCAN? 

HAJEK 

Of  him  ?    God's  mercy ! 
He  doth  disturb  me  not,  nor  what  he  says. 
For  both  himself  and  those  mad  lies  he  utters 
Are  in  collusion  to  evade  the  truth 
And  substitute  weak  films  of  superstition. 

KING 
So?    An  imposter  who  would  cheat  his  King! 

HAJEK 

I  prithee,  calm  thyself,  poor  cheated  monarch; 
For  there  is  scarce  a  shadow  in  the  court 
But  doth  conceal  a  brace  of  them. 

KING 

Art  sure? 

HAJEK 

As  sure  as  thou  that  thou  art  truly  great. 
But  it  disturbs  me  not  and  should  not  thee, 
For  if  all  of  us  were  inviolate, 
Why,  this  poor  world  would  be  too  dull  to  live  in. 

KING 

Find  my  soothsayer  straight,  and  bid  him  draw 
More  kindly  inspiration  from  the  stars 
And  curb  his  love  for  evil,  or — 

HAJEK   (drawing  his  finger  across  his 
throat) 

His  head? 

[54] 


KING 
Ay,  tell  him  that. 

HAJEK 

But  let  me  hope,  in  words 
Less  murderous,  tho'  equally  direct. 

KING 

Come,  come,  make  haste! 
HAJEK 

Most  admirable  liege, 
Would  I  could  make  my  peace  with  Heav'n  as  quickly. 

]JVith  an  extravagant  bow  he  hurries  away  to  the  right, 
and  BALBINUS  enters  from  the  left,  bustling  with 
officiousness.  At  the  same  time  JOHN  enters  and 
comes  across  the  bridge ',  then  slowly  moves  to  the 
foot  of  the  throne. 

BALBINUS 

Most  noble  lord,  the  feast  is  heavy  spread. 
And  such  a  feast!    The  very  table  groans 
Beneath  the  weight  of  viands,  wreathed  in  smiles 
Of  expectation  to  be  quick  dispatched. 
Ragouts  that  were  not  bettered  on  Olympus; 
Haunches  of  venison  by  our  hunters  slain, 
And  hung  for  weeks  to  give  them  succulence. 
The  brains  of  peacocks,  partridges  and  hares, 
With  biting  condiments  to  give  them  zest 
And  there  are  wines,  my  liege, — 

KING 

Give  o'er,  give  o'er, 

We'll  judge  of  those  ourselves.    Unto  the  feast, 
Beloved  subjects,  by  BALBINUS  !ed. 
Fall  to  and  eat,  and  I  will  follow  on, 
Forgetting  precedence  and  ceremony. 

[Now  follows  the  chorus  of  the  Drinking  Song,  and 

[55] 


the  stage  is  cleared  of  all  except  the  KING  and 
QUEEN  standing  in  front  of  the  throne,  with 
VLADISLAV  waiting  at  the  foot  of  the  steps  and 
JOHN,  who  is  a  little  above,  but  near  the  QUEEN. 

KING  (to  the  QUEEN) 
Come  thou  with  me. 

[He  leads  her  to  the  foot  of  the  throne  steps,  and  she 
stops. 

QUEEN 

I  prithee,  good  my  lord, 
That  I  have  leave  awhile  to  rest  me  here; 
For  I  am  ill  disposed  almost  to  fever. 
Ah,  why  wert  thou  so  blinded  in  thine  anger, 
Humiliating  me  before  them  all? 

KING 

And  didst  thou  not  deserve  it?    Where  wert  thou 
When  with  my  courtiers  I  moved  from  the  palace? 

QUEEN 
I've  told  thee  that  before. 

KING 

Thou'st  lied  before, 
And  who  shall  say  that,  too,  was  not  a  lie. 

JOHN  (coming forward) 

I  will.    Sorely  thou  wrong'st  thy  noble  QUEEN. 
My  honor  on  it. 

KING 

That  I  must  accept, 
And,  if  enfeebled  by  indisposition, 
She  may  remain  here  in  thy  charge. 

JOHN 

Tis  well. 
I'll  answer  for  her  safety  and  her  honor. 

[56] 


QUEEN 
I  thank  thee,  husband,  deeply. 

KING  (to  VLADISLAV) 

To  the  Feast! 

{The  refrain  of  SIGISMUND'S  song  is  heard  as  before. 
The  KING  is  about  to  exit  toward  the  left  when 
VLADISLAV  stays  him  with  a  significant  gesture 
and  both  listen.  JOHN  and  JOANNA  are  now  on 
the  bridge.  She  is  trembling  with  anxiety ,  but 
JOHN  quiets  her.) 

KING 
What  song  is  that  I  hear? 

VLADISLAV 
Hast  thou  forgot 

When  that  same  song  made  fact  of  idle  rumor 
The  night  thy  brother  SIGISMUND  was  crowned? 

KING   (as  if  his  memory  of  it  had  re 
turned  all  in  a  moment} 
She  would  not  dare ! 

VLADISLAV 

That  very  song  was  sung 
Here  in  the  dark  before  the  sunrise  came. 
I  saw  the  QUEEN,  close  veiled  and  slyly  creeping 
Toward  the  sound. 

KING 

Know'st  thou  'twas  SIGISMUND? 
What  didst  thou  do? 

VLADISLAV 

Followed,  but  found  them  not. 
[JOHN  and  the  QUEEN  come  down  from  the  bridge  and 
approach  the  throne  smilingly ',  as  if  in  ordinary 
conversation. 

[57] 


Behold  her  now,  affecting  unconcern 
As  if  she  knew  not  that  he  waits  for  her. 

KING 
Thou'st  bred  this  doubt  before  yet  nothing  proved. 

VLADISLAV 

But  if  I  prove  it  now? 
KING 

Thou  shalt  be  noble, 

First  in  my  council.    There  must  be  no  doubt, 
For  I  am  sick  of  unsupported  rumor 
That  murders  love,  yet  leaves  no  punishment 
Remember,  VLADISLAV,  proof  or  disgrace! 

[The  KING  hurries  of  to  the  left  and  loud  huzzas  of 
greeting  are  heard.  The  QUEEN  and  JOHN  are 
strolling  leisurely  toward  the  steps  again.  VLADIS 
LAV  turns  to  MATHIAS  who  has  just  entered  from 
the  lefty  as  if  for  orders. 

VLADISLAV 
Mathias! 

MATHIAS 
Yes,  my  lord. 

VLADISLAV 

Assemble  guards; 

Search  well  the  forest,  find  that  skulking  minstrel 
And  drag  him  bound  before  the  KING  or  me. 

[The  QUEEN  and  JOHN  are  seen  on  the  bridge  to 
gether ',  and  TOMAK  is  also  there  on  guard. 

MATHIAS 

He  shall  be  found,  my  lord. 
VLADISLAV 

He  must  be  found. 
That  or  thy  rank,  and  then — perhaps  a  prison. 

[VLADISLAV  hurries  of  to  the  left.  The  QUEEN  is 
seen  talking  with  TOMAK 

[58] 


MATHIAS  (calling  to  TOMAK) 
Tomak ! 

TOMAK  (hears  the  call,  and  comes  down 

quickly) 
Yes,  Captain. 

MATHIAS 
Didst  thou  hear  that  song? 

TOMAK 
I  did. 

[Saluting. 

MATHIAS 

Then  search  the  forest  with  dispatch; 
Arrest  the  minstrel,  bind  and  bring  him  here. 
Good  men  shall  meet  thee  from  the  other  side. 

[TOMAK  salutes  and  MATHIAS  hurries  away  in  the 
direction  of  VLADISLAV'S  exit.     TOMAK  hurries 
toward  the  bridge,  where  he  is  intercepted  by  the 
QUEEN. 

QUEEN 
Stay,  soldier.    Whither  goest  thou  so  fast? 

TOMAK 
I  go  to  apprehend  yon  stranger  minstrel. 

QUEEN 

Why?    He  hath  done  no  wrong.    I  beg  of  thee, 
Let  him  escape  and  warn  him  of  his  danger. 

TOMAK 
I  dare  not. 

QUEEN  (taking  a  jewelled  necklace  from 

her  neck) 
Take  this,  all  of  it  is  thine. 

JOHN 
What  would'st  thou  do?    Not  offer  him  a  bribe? 

[59] 


QUEEN 

They  are  all  bribed  to  hound  him  to  his  death. 
Then  let  me  bribe  that  I  may  save  his  life. 

(to  TOMAK) 

Here,  take  this  as  an  earnest  of  the  rest 
That  I  shall  give  thee  when  I  know  he's  free. 

[TOMAK  reflects  a  moment,  takes  the  necklace,  places 
it  into  his  doublet  and  hurries  away.  HAJEK  and 
LABOCAN  enter  from  the  right.  Seeing  JOHN  and 
the  QUEEN  and  the  departure  of  TOMAK,  HAJEK 
takes  LABOCAN  by  the  shoulders  and  turns  his  back 
to  them. 

HAJEK 

What  I  have  won  with  dice  thou  shalt  have  back 
If  thou  retrieve  thy  staff  ere  I  count  twenty. 

{Snatches  the  staff  from  him  and  throws  it  far  to  the 
right. 

LABOCAN 
Have  at  thee,  fool.    This  time  I'll  beat  thee. 

HAJEK 

Good! 
[LABOCAN  hurries  off  to  the  right  and  HAJEK  runs  to 

the  QUEEN  and  kneels  to  her. 

Forgiveness,  QUEEN,  that  I  have  seemed  so  faithless! 
Because  I  feared  the  anger  of  the  KING. 

[to  JOHN] 

And,  Reverence,  my  prayers  for  absolution 
That  I  opposed  thee.     But,  what  right  have  slaves 
To  feel  or  think  save  as  their  masters  do? 

JOHN 
My  heart  is  with  thee,  son,  thou  art  absolved. 

[Places  his  hand  on  his  head  and  blesses  him. 


HAJEK  (looking  toward  either  side  earn 
estly) 

My  time  is  short.     Thou  art  in  danger,  QUEEN. 
Suspicion  of  thee  burns  in  every  mind, 
And  every  bush  conceals  an  enemy. 
Let  wisdom  lead  thee  to  appease  the  KING; 
And  thou  must  revel  in  this  impious  feast 
Or  thou  art  lost! 

[LABOCAN  returns  running  from  the  right. 

LABOCAN 

Well,  have  I  come  too  late? 
HAJEK 
Nay,  time  to  spare,  for  I  forgot  to  count. 

[taking  money  from  a  purse  hanging  at  his  girdle. 
There  is  the  money  won  from  thee  at  dice. 

LABOCAN 
Ay,  loaded  dice. 

HAJEK 

Why  not?    These  heads  of  bone 
Are  loaded  with  deceit,  so  why  not  dice? 

[Laughter,  clicking  of  wine  cups  and  other  sounds  of 
revel  are  heard  off  to  the  left. 

HAJEK 

Lo!  where  our  master  lord  drinks  with  the  lowliest 
And  lets  his  vassals  pat  him  on  the  back. 
Would  that  our  QUEEN  were  less  particular, 
For,  think  of  it!     She  curtly  hath  refused 
To  sing  and  dance  with  them. 

[The  sounds  of  the  revel  are  repeated  but  louder. 

Ah,  welcome  sound! 

[Takes  LABOCAN  by  the  arm  and  pulls  at  it. 
Some  wine,  some  wine !  For  I  would  see  a  smile 
Upon  that  granite  face. 


LABOCAN 

I  loathe  such  revels. 

HAJEK 

Then  make  me  drunk  and  thou  shalt  see  a  fool 
Run  riot  with  the  wit  that's  hid  in  drink. 

LABOCAN   (struggling  to  release  himself 

from  HAJEK'S  grasp) 
I  say  I  will  not! 

HAJEK 

But  I  say  thou  shalt! 
And  I  have  sinews  that  could  tear  apart 
Those  flabby  ones  of  thine!     Come  on,  come  on! 

[HAJEK  drags  LABOCAN  away  and  the  QUEEN  comes 
over  and  looks  after  them. 

QUEEN 
Suspicion,  danger  everywhere,  he  said. 

JOHN  (who  has  come  down  with  her) 
Suspicion  melts  away  when  conscience  clean 
Unmasks  its  proofs;  and  danger  hath  no  power 
To  pierce  the  iron  mail  of  innocence. 

QUEEN 

Have  I  not  seen  poor  innocence  destroyed 
And  steeped  in  its  own  blood?     Suspicion,  too, 
Is  murderous  when  leagued  with  enmity. 
And  foes  are  everywhere, — he  told  me  so! 

JOHN 

What  sick'ning  fear  is  this  that  smites  my  soul, 
Inspired  by  warnings  from  an  angry  Heaven  ? 

QUEEN 
What  fear?     (this  with  an  expression  of  guilt) 

JOHN 
Thou  hast  not  told  me  all! 

[62] 


QUEEN 

All  what? 
JOHN 

Thou  hast  not  told  me  all!     Conviction's  scourge 
Doth  lash  the  confidence  I  had  in  thee! 
Concealment  hath  made  mockery  of  faith, 
And  absolution  hath  been  given  thee 
Lured  by  equivocation. 

QUEEN  (falling  on  her  knees) 

Mercy,  Father! 
JOHN 

Poor  erring  child !    Then  thou  art  guilty  ? 
QUEEN 

Yes! 
JOHN 

Guilty  with  SIGISMUND? 
QUEEN 

No,  'tis  not  that! 
JOHN 

But  thou  hast  loved  him.     Love  him  now! 
QUEEN 

Yes,  Father. 

Love  him  as  I  loved  him  ere  the  time 
When  first  mine  eyes  had  fall'n  on  WENCESLAUS. 
Love  him,  as  when  sore  tempted  by  a  crown 
I  made  his  heart  a  desert.     But  not  then, 
Nor  ever  thro*  that  hell  of  bitter  years, 
Was  that  sweet  love  enslaved  by  sin. 
JOHN 

That  song 
Was  SIGISMUND'S? 

QUEEN 

Yes,  Father. 

[63] 


JOHN 

Shame,  oh  shame! 
Why  comes  he  here  if  not  thro'  guilty  love? 

QUEEN 

He  seeks  to  overthrow  Bohemia, 
Drive  from  his  throne  the  husband  whom  I  hate; 
And  that  old  love,  rekindled,  fired  my  soul 
With  ardor  for  the  cause  of  SIGISMUND. 
Now,  as  I  hope  for  absolution's  peace, 
This  was  the  only  sin  that  I  concealed; 
For  that  he  urged  it  and  my  love  obeyed. 

JOHN 

On  the  authority  of  my  high  office 
I  do  forbid  this  aimless  dream  of  treason ! 
And  must  demand  full  revelation  of  it 
Within  the  shadow  of  the  Holy  Cross, 
Where  thou  may'st  nothing  leave  unsaid.     Come,  child. 

QUEEN 

Thou'llt  not  betray  him? 
JOHN 

Faith  knows  not  betrayal. 
Within  the  shadow  of  the  Cross,  I  said. 

[She  bows  her  head  in  deep  humility;  he  offers  his 
handy  which  she  takes.  They  are  proceeding 
toward  the  bridge  when  TOMAK  runs  across  it  from 
the  path  and  up  to  them. 

QUEEN  (anxiously) 
What  news — he's  found? 
TOMAK 

Ay,  lady,  and  I  come 
To  claim  the  rest  of  the  reward. 
QUEEN 

Yes,  yes, 
But  is  he  safe? 


TOMAK 

That  rests  with  him.     But  first 
Himself  shall  show  you  that  I  set  him  free. 

QUEEN  (now  much  alarmed) 
Not  coming  here  ? 

TOMAK 

I  knew  no  other  way. 

Haste!     The  reward!    Thou  saidst  there  would  be  more, 
And  'tis  well  earned. 

QUEEN  (stripping  rings  from  her  fingers) 
Take  this — and  this — and  this. 

JOHN 
Away,  lest  someone  see  thee,  soldier!     Go! 

[TOMAK  hurries  toward  the  bridge.  At  the  same  time 
SIGISMUND  appears  quickly  from  the  direction  of 
TOMAK' s  entrance.  TOMAK  stands  at  the  bottom 
of  the  steps  and  salutes ,  permitting  SIGISMUND  to 
pass  him,  when  he  crosses  the  bridge  and  hurries 
away. 

SIGISMUND 

JOANNA! 

[She  is  about  to  rush  into  his  arms  when  JOHN  steps 
between  them  with  both  arms  uplifted  in  admon 
ition. 

Why  should  I  not?     Is  not  her  soul  mine? 
JOHN 

No! 

SIGISMUND 

Ay!  Soul,  heart,  trust,  cause,  fate  and  all  are  mine, 
As  is  yon  flaming  sun  part  of  the  Heavens; 
Or  these  gaunt  spectres  of  forgotten  years 

[indicating  the  trees 

Part  of  the  forest  where  their  twisted  roots 
Draw  sustenance  from  out  the  feeding  earth. 

[65] 


So  are  my  heart,  my  trust,  my  cause  her  own; 
And  I  am  come  prepared  to  fight  my  way 
To  that  fair  haven  of  eternal  peace 
Where  broken  hopes  shall  find  at  last  fulfillment. 

JOHN 
Nay,  that  shall  never  be! 

SIGISMUND 

What  dost  thou  say? 

QUEEN 
Fly,  SIGISMUND! 

SIGISMUND 

Not  till  I've  held  thee  tight 
Within  these  empty  arms  that  scarce  have  known  thee! 

JOHN 
That,  too,  must  never  be! 

QUEEN 

Ah,  list  to  me! 

JOHN 

Nay,  but  to  me!     If  on  Bohemia's  border 
Thou  hast  an  army  of  adventurers 
To  rob  its  treasury,  kill  its  traditions, 
And  undermine  its  chosen  dynasty, 
Why,  lead  them  back  and  come  not  here  again. 

SIGISMUND 
Who  told  thee  that?    JOANNA!    Thou'st  betrayed  me! 

QUEEN 
No,  no! 

JOHN 
She  told  the  Church, — the  secret's  safe. 

[  The  noises  of  revel  are  heard  louder  than  before. 
Dost  thou  hear  that?     Fly,  ere  it  be  too  late! 
Thy  direst  foes,  inflamed  insane  with  wine, 
Would  tear  thy  limbs  apart! 

[66] 


SlGISMUND 

What,  told  them  too  ? 

[ The  QUEEN  tries  to  speak,  but  JOHN  stays  her. 
JOANNA,  not  by  thee? 

JOHN 

Nay,  son,  by  thee! 

Thy  song  betrayed  thee  thrice  this  very  morn. 
[ The  sounds  of  revel  are  heard  again. 

QUEEN 
Fly,  SIGISMUND,  or  thou  art  lost! 

SlGISMUND 

Until 

Thou  promise  that  our  tryst  be  kept  to-night, 
I  will  not  stir  tho'  I  be  cut  to  pieces! 

QUEEN 

I  promise,  then.     When  tyranny's  asleep 
Thy  enemies  writhe  in  their  drunkenness, 
And  the  white  moon  can  guide  me  through  the  forest, 
I  will  come. 

JOHN 
To  say  farewell  forever! 

SlGISMUND 

If  she  shall  so  decide,  'twill  be  forever. 

If,  midst  the  anguish  of  her  loveless  life, 

Her  heart  breaks  'neath  its  weight  of  solitude, 

Then  will  I  come  though  'twere  a  march  to  death! 

[The  noises  of  the  revel  are  heard  again  more  boisterous 
and  drunken. 

QUEEN 
Begone,  begone,  they  come! 

[SIGISMUND  hurries  to  the  bridge  and  turns. 

SlGISMUND 

To-night? 

[671 


QUEEN 

To-night! 

[SIGISMUND  hurries  away  over  the  same  path  by  which 
he  came.  JOHN  takes  the  hand  of  the  QUEEN  and 
is  about  to  follow  across  the  bridge  when  VLADIS 
LAV  and  MATHIAS  enter  from  the  left. 

VLADISLAV  (to  JOHN) 

Who  was  that  crossed  the  bridge  but  now? 
[JOHN  does  not  answer  and  he  persists. 
Dost  hear? 

JOHN 

Who  gave  a  satellite  at  court  the  right 
To  question  any  office  of  the  Church  ? 

VLADISLAV 
Thine  answer's  vague.     My  voice  speaks  for  the  KING! 

JOHN 

Mine  for  a  Holier  Power,  that  holds  His  sway 
Above  the  sceptres  of  a  thousand  Kings ! 
Question  me  not  again — I  will  not  answer. 

{Takes  the  QUEEN  by  the  hand  and  leads  her  away  to 
the  upper  left. 

VLADISLAV 

He  knows,  knows  all  the  truth,  and  yet,  alas! 
His  office  seals  his  lips.     Hast  heard  from  TOMAK? 

MATHIAS 

Not  yet,  my  lord,  though  every  path  is  traversed 
By  better  men  than  he. 

[He  notices  TOMAK  hurrying  across  the  bridge. 

Comes  he  not  there? 
[TOMAK  hurries  down  and  salutes. 
What  news,  man?     Speak! 

TOMAK 
My  lord,  he  was  not  there. 

[681 


VLADI  s  LAV  (threateningly) 
Back,  then,  and  find  him! 

[TOMAK  hurries  back  to  the  bridge. 

Stay!     To  fail  again 
Will  mean  destroying  anger  from  the  KING. 

[TOMAK  hurries  away  over  the  bridge p,  and  VLADISLAV 
turns  to  MATHIAS  excitedly. 

VLADISLAV 

Call  all  thy  men;  encircle  every  tree; 
Sweep  every  pathway,  for  he  must  be  found! 

[MATHIAS  hurries  off  to  the  /eft,  passing  LABOCAN 
and  HAJEK.  The  latter  holds  a  filled  cup  in  his 
hand  and  shows  the  effects  of  wine. 

HAJEK 
Why  run  away  when  revel's  at  its  height? 

LABOCAN 
It  sickens  me,  I've  had  enough  of  it! 

[VLADISLAV  is  about  to  exit  to  the  /eft,  when  HAJEK 
stops  him. 

HAJEK 
Ha,  ha!    A  cup  of  wine  with  me,  sweet  friend! 

[VLADISLAV  shoves  him  angrily  aside.     He  stagger s> 
reels  toward  the  center  of  the  stage  and  falls  on  his 
haunches ',  spilling  some  of  his  wine. 
A  blow!    A  fall,  and  half  my  wine  is  spilled! 
[He  makes  an  attempt  to  rise,  but  fails. 
Attend  me,  LABOCAN! 

VLADISLAV  (to  LABOCAN) 

Think  well  of  this: 
How  loyal  art  thou  to  the  KING  ? 
LABOCAN 

What,  I? 
Thou  heard'st  him  tell  this  fool  to  spy  on  me. 


HAJEK  (plaintively) 
Oh,  LABOCAN  ! 

VLADISLAV  (to  LABOCAN) 
The  words  were  not  his  thought. 
The  QUEEN  had  angered  him.     Now  what  of  her? 

LABOCAN  (to  VLADISLAV) 
No  worse  a  woman,  and  no  better  either, 
Than  any  who  hath  made  her  husband  cuckold. 

VLADISLAV 

Ay,  but  dost  thou  believe  it? 
LABOCAN 

Tis  in  the  stars! 
HAJEK  (very  plaintively) 
Sweet  LABOCAN! 

VLADISLAV  (to  LABOCAN) 
An  augury  like  that 
Sent  from  the  stars  to  him  and  thou  art  rich! 

LABOCAN 

I  think  I  catch  thy  meaning,  and  the  stars 
Have  told  me  nothing  but  that  she  is  false. 

HAJEK 
Thou  devil,  LABOCAN  ! 

LABOCAN 

I  come. 
VLADISLAV 

Keep  near  me. 
Upon  thine  evidence  depends  thy  power. 

[VLADISLAV  hurries  off  to  the  left  and  LABOCAN  goes 
to  HAJEK. 

LABOCAN 
What  ails  thee,  fool? 

HAJEK 

No  more  than  ails  all  fools 

[70] 


Who  drink  more  wine  than  they  can  safely  carry. 
Why  leave  me  thus  when  I  do  love  thee  so  ? 

LABOCAN 
Thou  lov'st  me  not. 

HAJEK 

As  much  as  thou  lov'st  me. 
So  now  the  secret's  out.     Give  me  thy  hand 
And  raise  me  up. 

[LABOCAN  offers  his  handy  which  he  takes. 

How  strange  that,  being  down, 

[Rising  to  his  feet  with  an  effort. 
My  knees  are  hinges.     But  afoot  again, 
They're  stiff  as  spokes.     I  thank  thee,  LABOCAN, 
And  if  thou'lt  fill  my  cup  I'll  truly  love  thee. 

LABOCAN  (turning  away  from  him) 
Not  I !     I  would  there  were  no  wine  at  all. 

HAJEK 

God's  mercy!    What  were  then  this  beauteous  world? 
An  arid  plain  of  parching  nothingness; 
A  thirstful  desert  camels  dare  not  cross, 
Nor  even  serpents  pause  to  spawn  their  young. 
A  vast  menagerie  of  flannel  tongues, 
And  stomachs,  never  schooled  to  use  of  water, 
Spraying  the  tasteless  stuff  upon  the  sands. 
Then  piteous  howls  of  anguish:     "Wine,  wine,  wine! 
That  I  may  know  what  'tis  to  smile  again." 
Bricks  without  straw;  love  without  passion's  fire; 
A  thing  of  sighs  and  griefs  unrecompensed, 
And  sorrows  deep  that  water  cannot  quench. 
Water!     That  brings  no  sustenance  or  life, 
Save  to  the  ground  that  nourishes  the  vine. 
There  is  but  one  more  use  I  see  for  water: 
To  drown  myself  in  it  when  there's  no  wine! 

[Laughter  is  heard  on  the  left,  then  loud  voices. 

[71] 


VOICES 

Long  live  WENCESLAUS  !     Mighty  WENCESLAUS  ! 
KING  OF  BOHEMIA! 

LABOCAN 

They  come  this  way. 
A  thousand  priests  could  never  shrive  that  throng. 

HAJEK 

Not  when  thy  sins  clog  the  confessional, 
For  if  thou'rt  honest  'twould  consume  a  year. 

[The  KING  enters  showing  signs  of  much  drinking 
but  preserving  his  dignity  with  effort.  BALBINUS 
is  supporting  him  and  leads  him  to  the  throne^ 
while  the  crowd  that  comes  with  him  groups  itself. 

KING 

Well  done,  most  faithful  subjects!    And  your  KING, 
Proud  of  your  merry  prowess  at  the  feast, 
Will  make  return  in  merrier  entertainment. 
My  dancers,  CHAMBERLAIN! 

BALBINUS 

Most  patient  liege — 

KING 

Thou  liest!     Patience  is  not  in  my  nature. 
Where  are  my  dancers? 

BALBINUS 

They  are  making  ready, 
With  eager  earnestness  to  please  their  KING. 

KING 

Some  singers,  then.     Come,  come,  we're  wasting  time, 
A  pious  mass  may  soon  disturb  our  revel. 
Who  hath  a  voice  and  words  attuned  to  it? 

BALBINUS 
Tis  said  that  HAJEK  here  can  sing  most  rarely. 

[72] 


KING  (to  HAJEK) 
What  say'st  thou,  HAJEK? 

HAJEK 

Not  that  I  sing  rarely, 
For,  to  speak  truly,  sir,  I  rarely  sing. 
But  I  have  learned  some  lilts  set  to  a  tune. 

KING 
Is  it  of  wine? 

HAJEK 
It  reeks  with  it,  my  liege. 

SONG ;    .     HAJEK  and  CHORUS 

A  KINGDOM  WITHOUT  WINE 

HAJEK  (recitative) 

With  most  uncompromising,  sweet  docility 
Apologizing  for  my  poor  ability, 
List  to  my  scandalizing  the  futility 
Of  any  kingdom's  joy  that  hath  no  wine. 

CHORUS 

Oh  tell  us,  pray,  without  delay, 
What  were  a  nation's  joy  bereft  of  wine? 

HAJEK 

An  arid  waste  of  reticence, 
A  desert  of  improvidence, 

All  days  and  nights  but  sorry  plights  of  desolation  sore. 
No  hope  of  joy's  satiety, 
But  ever  songs  of  piety, 
That  sing  but  of  sobriety 
With  water  to  the  fore. 

CHORUS 

Alas!  the  songs  of  piety 
That  sing  but  of  sobriety 
With  water  to  the  fore. 

[73] 


So  all  Bohemia's  hosts  rebel 
Against  red  wine's  forbidden  spell. 
Let  no  decreed  memorial. 
With  law  inquisitorial, 
And  arrogance  censorial, 
Bohemia's  revels  quell. 

HAJEK  (recitative) 

What  matter  if  one  loseth  the  agility, 
To  woo  his  tongue  to  pungent  risibility? 
Why  welcome  not  calm,  dreamy  imbecility 
Through  seeking  the  oblivion  of  wine  ? 

CHORUS 

Oh,  tell  us,  pray,  of  joy's  delay 
Without  the  sweet  oblivion  of  wine. 

HAJEK 

No  man  to  greet  one  smilingly, 
No  maid  to  smile  beguilingly, 

With  callow  youth  become  uncouth  as  pranks  of  aged  kine; 
No  home  for  pleasure's  oracle, 
No  bacchanals  historical, 
All  joy  phantasmagorical, 
The  kingdom  without  wine. 

CHORUS 

No  home  for  pleasure's  oracle, 
Yes,  yes,  phantasmagorical, 
A  kingdom  without  wine. 
So  all  Bohemia's  hosts  rebel 
Against  red  wine's  forbidden  spell. 
Let  no  decreed  memorial, 
With  law  inquisitorial, 
And  arrogance  censorial, 
Bohemia's  revels  quell. 

[74] 


[During  the  song  the  KING'S  cup  has  been  filled  by  a 
tankard  bearer  at  his  side.  At  its  close,  after 
many  expressions  from  the  crowd,  with  elevated 
cups,  the  KING  speaks. 

KING 
A  royal  effort,  fool! 

HAJEK 

Ay,  crowned  with  dross, 
That  shines  but  thro*  the  twinkling  of  a  laugh. 

KING 
There  is  no  crown  so  bright  as  approbation. 

HAJEK 

Approval  pays  no  debts,  my  liege. 
KING 

Balbinus! 

See  all  his  debts  discharged. 
BALBINUS 

They  are,  my  liege, 
Clusters  of  grapes  as  sour  as  vinegar. 

HAJEK 
Nay,  dry  as  sponges,  liege. 

KING 

Why,  what  care  I  ? 

He  sweetens  clusters  of  my  cares  with  song, 
And  so  I  sweeten  his.     Pay  every  one. 

[BALBINUS  bows  submissively  and  HAJEK  struts 
about  vainly,  and  pats  LABOCAN  on  the  back  with 
a  smack  that  causes  him  to  writhe. 

VLADISLAV 
Listen,  great  sire! 

KING 
I'll  not  be  interrupted 

[75] 


While  in  this  cup  the  ruddy  vintage  woos  me! 

[elevates  his  cup 

Drop  each  his  thirstful  ire  into  his  cup, 
And  drink  perdition  to  the  canting  knaves 
Who  would  inhibit  wine  and  frame  the  lie 
That  any  kingdom's  weal  were  best  without  it! 

[The  KING  drains  his  cup,  as  do  all  who  have  them. 
HAJEK  attempts  to  pour  some  of  his  wine  down 
LABOCAN'S  throat,  but  he  wriggles  away  and 
strikes  HAJEK  with  his  staff.  VLADISLAV  again 
earnestly  addresses  the  KING. 

VLADISLAV 

A  matter  of  great  moment,  sire! 
KING 

Of  state? 
VLADISLAV 

It  doth  concern  two  states. 
KING 

Then  weVe  no  time 
To  interject  so  much  state  in  this  revel. 

VLADI s  LAV  (appealingly) 
Ah,  sire ! 

KING 
Have  done,  I  say! 

VLADISLAV 

The  stars  would  speak. 
KING  (with  rising  anger) 

The  stars  have  waited  for  ten  thousand  years, 
Let  them  wait  longer!    Are  the  dancers  ready? 

BALBINUS 

They  do  attend  thee,  sire. 
KING 

Let  them  begin! 

[76] 


[VLADISLAV  holds  out  his  hands  to  the  KING  who 
waves  him  away.  BALBINUS  goes  up  and  beckons 
toward  the  left. 

THE  DANCE  OF  THE  BACCHANALS. 

[This  begins  with  a  figure  by  the  soldiers  alone. 
When  this  is  finished,  an  equal  number  of  girls 
enter  with  wine  cups.  They  place  them  to  the  lips 
of  the  soldiers  and  then  the  tempo  of  the  music 
changes  to  that  of  wild  and  sensuous  revel.  As  the 
last  strains  of  this  are  playing,  the  QUEEN  glides 
on  from  the  back,  dances  a  brief  solo  and  then 
forms  the  center  of  the  finishing  figure. 

[The  KING  regards  the  picture  with  amazement  for  a 
moment,  and  VLADISLAV  and  LABOCAN  mingle 
discomfiture  with  their  own  amazement. 

[JOHN,  who  has  appeared  during  the  dance,  stands 
looking  on  in  horror. 

KING 

My  soul  rejoices  that  my  beauteous  QUEEN 
Hath  by  some  whim  of  changeful  womanhood 
Plotted  within  herself  to  wake  my  wrath, 
Only  to  change  it  to  admiring  love 
By  this  inspiring  sacrifice.    Joanna! 

[He  comes  down  the  steps  a  little  and  extends  his 

hand.     She  goes  to  him. 
Thus  do  I  seal  my  boundless  admiration. 

[He  kisses  her  upon  the  forehead,  and  leads  her  to 
her  throne.  VLADISLAV  turns  to  LABOCAN  deeply 
puzzled. 

VLADISLAV 
What  treason-plot  can  she  be  hatching  now? 


KING  (indicating  the  presence  of  JOHN) 
Our  Vicar  General  stands  gravely  by 
To  lead  us  to  religious  ceremony. 
But  ere  we  be  in  penitence  absolved 
From  all  the  worldly  sins  we  have  contrived, 
We'll  have  the  dance  again,  so  this  my  QUEEN 
May  sin  with  us  together;  then,  to  mass! 

JOHN  (from  his  position  on  the  bridge) 
It  shall  not  be! 

KING 

Not  be?    What  ho!    The  music! 
JOHN  (with  great  impressiveness) 
Who  plays  a  single  note  shall  be  accursed! 
So  shall  each  one  of  you  that  disobeys 
The  Captain  of  your  Faith! 
KING 

I'll  not  be  ruled! 
QUEEN 

It  was  thy  promise,  WENCESLAUS,  that  when 
The  revels  ended,  he  alone  should  rule. 

KING  (submissively) 
Ay,  so  it  was. 

[The  QUEEN  presses  his  hand  fervently . 
VLADISLAV  (to  LABOCAN) 

Some  witchery  is  here! 
KING  (rising  to  his  feet) 
Proceed,  ye  all,  in  humble  reverence, 
And  penitential  awe  where  he  doth  lead, 
And  this  my  QUEEN  and  I  will  follow  on. 

[To  the  strains  of  the  organ  JOHN  and  the  MONKS 
lead  the  religious  procession  on  over  the  bridge  and 
off  to  the  left,  leaving  on  the  stage  the  KING,  the 
QUEEN,  VLADISLAV,  LABOCAN  and  HAJEK. 


[When  the  procession  has  disappeared  and  the  others 
are  about  to  follow,  MATHIAS  and  MALEK  (a 
soldier)  hurry  on  with  TOMAK  who  is  bound  with 
ropes.  The  QUEEN  recognizes  him  and  with  diffi 
culty  conceals  her  deep  concern. 

KING 
What  hath  he  done  ? 

MATHIAS 

Betrayed  his  duty,  Sire. 
For  it  is  known  that  when,  upon  my  order, 
He  was  dispatched  to  find  the  minstrel  stranger 
And  take  him,  he  did  so,  then  set  him  free. 

KING 
His  life  the  forfeit! 

QUEEN 

No,  no,  no,  not  that! 
KING 
And  why  dost  thou  plead  mercy  for  this  knave? 

QUEEN 

I'd  plead  for  any  life  unjustly  crushed 
Before  there's  time  to  interpose  defense. 
Show  him  this  mercy! 

VLADISLAV 

He  hath  no  defense! 

KING 
None  that  his  KING  will  hear.     Off  with  his  head! 

VLADISLAV 
Be  it  my  joy  to  see  it  done. 

[The  QUEEN  holds  out  her  arms  appealingly  to  the 
KING,  but  he  pushes  her  aside  and  glares  savagely 
upon  TOMAK.  VLADISLAV  goes  to  TOMAK,  as  if 
to  drag  him  away,  and  discloses  part  of  the  neck- 

[79] 


lace  given  him  by  the  QUEEN  protruding  from  his 
doublet. 

What's  this? 

[VLADISLAV  drags  the  necklace  out  and  hands  it  to 
the  KING,  who  recognizes  it  and  turns  to  the 
QUEEN  angrily. 

KING 

My  wedding  gift  to  thee,  thou  traitress  wanton! 
Thy  death  shall  follow  close  on  his! 
TOMAK 

My  death! 

Nay,  say  not  that,  O  KING,  for  on  the  life 
That  thou  would'st  take  away  I  truly  swear 
I  found  the  bauble  where  'twas  lost! 
KING 

Thou  liest. 
TOMAK 

If  there  be  guilt,  'tis  hers,  not  mine! 
KING 

No  more! 
Take  him  to  death! 

[VLADISLAV  makes  a  sign  to  the  soldier s,  who  hurry 
TOMAK  away  cry  ing  for  mercy.     The  KING  turns 
savagely  upon  the  QUEEN. 
[To  the  QUEEN. 

Where  now  is  thy  defense  ? 
For  what  gav'st  thou  that  bribe? 
QUEEN 

Thou'st  heard  him  say 
He  found  the  bauble. 

KING 

Thou'st  heard  me  say 
He  lied,  and  thou  know'st  if  he  did  or  no! 

[80] 


QUEEN 
Faced  by  his  God  how  can  a  soldier  lie? 

VLADISLAV 
To  shield  a  guiltier  than  he, — his  QUEEN  ! 

[The  QUEEN,  staggered  by  this  reply,  stands  as  if 
stunned  with  apprehension. 

HAJEK  (to  VLADISLAV) 
A  thousand  oaths  that  thou  art  lying  now! 

[VLADISLAV  deals  him  a  heavy  blow  and  he  falls  to 
the  ground. 

KING 

That  was  well  done !     Out  of  my  sight,  poor  fool, 
And  be  not  seen  about  the  court  again 
On  peril  of  thy  neck! 

HAJEK 

Poor,  pestered  KING, 
That  listeneth  to  lies  before  the  truth: 
There  is  no  peril  grave  enough  to  still 
The  voice  of  courage,  when  it  cries  aloud 
To  curb  the  slanderers  of  helpless  woman ! 

KING 
Out  of  my  sight! 

[HAJEK  is  about  to  reply,  when  VLADISLAV  seizes 
him  and  roughly  pushes  him  of  to  the  left. 

Now,  faithful  VLADISLAV, 
More  of  thy  charge,  and  if  thou  liest,  too, 
Myself  shall  drag  thy  life  from  thee  by  shreds ! 

VLADISLAV 

I  am  content,  dread  Sire. 
KING 

Whence  came  thy  knowledge? 
QUEEN 
He  hath  no  knowledge  of  the  truth ! 


KING 

Hast  thou? 
Speak,  then.   Ha,  thou  art  silent,     [to  VLADISLAV 

Then,  speak  thou. 
VLADISLAV 

I  had  it  from  the  stars. 
QUEEN 

Through  LABOCAN! 
Imposter,  cheat  and  trickster! 

LABOCAN  (urged  by  VLADISLAV  to  speak) 
Ay,  through  me! 

QUEEN  (to  the  KING) 
Surely  thou'lt  not  believe  him? 

KING 

If  he  dare 
To  tell  me  aught  that  comes  not  true, — the  rack! 

LABOCAN    (stepping  toward  the   throne 

with  great  impressiveness) 
I  do  take  up  the  gage.     The  stars  have  said 
Thy  QUEEN  is  false  to  thee!     She  hath  been  so 
Throughout  the  years  since  thou  hast  made  her  wife! 

QUEEN 
It  is  not  true! 

KING  (now  full  of  jealous  rage) 
Peace,  woman!     (to  LABOCAN)     Said  they  more? 

LABOCAN 

Last  night  they  warned  me  of  a  lover,  come 
Again  cloaked  in  the  strains  of  melody, 
To  lure  her  once  again  away  from  thee 
Into  thy  brother's  arms.     He's  played  thee  false 
From  ere  thy  wedding  night  until  this  morn, 
When  these  ears  heard  his  song. 

[82! 


VLADISLAV 

And  mine! 
KING 

And  mine! 
[to  the  QUEEN 

Now  what  hast  thou  to  say,  when  all  of  us 
Have  proved  thee  traitress  to  thy  God  and  KING? 

QUEEN 

That  all  have  lied!     Lied  for  the  changeless  stars, 
To  lend  their  silence  unto  superstition 
And  smirch  the  honor  of  my  marriage  vow! 

KING 
Then  where  is  SIGISMUND? 

QUEEN 

I  do  not  know! 
[MALEK  and  another  soldier  are  seen  coming  down 

one  of  the  paths  with  SIGISMUND  a  prisoner. 
And  could  my  conscience  speak  'twould  say  to  thee 
These  eyes  of  mine  his  image  have  not  seen, 
Nor  these  ears  heard  his  voice. 

[By  this  time  MALEK  and  the  soldier  with  SIGIS 
MUND  are  crossing  the  bridge,  and  VLADISLAV 
sees  them. 

VLADISLAV 

Then  who  is  here? 

{All  turn  and  regard  the  approaching  group.  The 
QUEEN  with  horror  and  the  others  with  a  sort  of 
vindictive  triumph. 

KING  (to  the  QUEEN,  savagely) 
The  damning  proof  that  thou  basely  lied! 

[He  comes  down  from  the  throne  and  meets  SIGIS 
MUND.  The  QUEEN  follows  him  closely  and  with 

[83] 


great  apprehension.     The  KING  faces  SIGISMUND 
venomously. 

Now  what  defense  hast  thou  ? 
SIGISMUND 

This:    Thou  hast  dared 
To  have  me,  thy  half  brother  and  a  King 
Powerful  as  thou,  trailed  like  a  common  felon 
Along  the  forest  paths  and  dragged  before  thee. 
For  what? 

KING 

Dost  thou  not  know?     Then  I  will  tell  it  thee! 
To  lure  thy  mistress  from  thy  brother's  bed, 
To  one  which  thine  adultery  hath  defiled! 

SIGISMUND  (looking  into  the  KING'S  face) 
This  to  my  face? 

KING 

Into  thy  soul,  seducer! 

[SIGISMUND  deals  him  a  smart  blow  on  the  cheek. 
He  draws  his  dagger  and  is  about  to  stab  SIGIS 
MUND  when  the  QUEEN,  who  is  close  behind  him, 
stands  between  them  and  forces  the  KING  away. 
At  the  same  time  the  soldiers  hold  SIGISMUND. 
Unhand  me! 

QUEEN 
No! 

KING 

But  he  shall  not  escape 
The  punishment  that  is  the  cuckold's  right. 

[By  a  sudden  and  fierce  movement  he  throws  the  dag 
ger  at  SIGISMUND.  SIGISMUND  staggers,  draws 
the  weapon  from  his  breast,  throws  it  aside  and 
then  falls  to  the  ground.  The  QUEEN  throws  her 
self  across  his  prostrate  form  and  turns  savagely 
to  the  KING. 


QUEEN 
Murderer! 

SIGISMUND  (reviving) 
No,  that  crime  is  spared  his  soul. 
[He  is  assisted  to  his  feet  by  the  QUEEN. 
I  shall  not  die,  nor  even  lose  my  strength, 
Till  I  have  lifted  from  thy  stainless  name 
The  foul  reproach  that  he  hath  cast  upon  it. 

[to  the  KING 

Thy  mother  and  mine  own  were  one.     I  know 
Thy  soul  holds  her  in  sainted  memory. 
Now  by  that  memory  and  her  dead  love 
For  both  of  us,  devoutly  do  I  swear 
That  thou  hast  lied  in  naming  her  my  mistress, 
Or  doubting  her  allegiance  to  her  troth! 
Thou  dost  wrong  her  and  me  believing  so. 

KING 
Why  com'st  thou  here,  then,  seeking  her? 

SIGISMUND  (to  one  of  the  soldiers) 

Good  man, 

[handing  him  his  handkerchief 
Some  water.     I  would  stanch  my  bleeding  wound. 

[The  soldier  takes  his  handkerchief,  goes  to  the  river's 
bank  and  wets  the  handkerchief  in  the  stream. 

KING  (to  SIGISMUND) 
Thou  hast  not  told  me. 

SIGISMUND 

Told  thee  what  ? 
KING 

The  cause 

For  which  thou  earnest  here. 
SIGISMUND 

That  nothing  has 
To  do  with  the  defiling  words  thou'st  uttered, 

[85] 


And  those  I  swear  are  false.     Deep  in  thy  soul 
Thou  knowest  it!     I'll  tell  thee  nothing  more, 
And  dare  thee  to  do  more. 
[to  the  QUEEN. 

Lady,  farewell! 
[The  soldier  returns  with  the  handkerchief. 

KING 
Thou  shalt  not  go! 

[SIGISMUND  takes  the  handkerchief  from  the  soldier 
and  thrusts  it  into  his  doublet. 

SIGISMUND 

Not  go?  Till  thou  hast  proved 
My  kingdom  enemy  to  thine,  thou  durst  not  stay 
My  coming  or  my  going  as  I  will. 

[His  arm  about  the  soldier  s  neck. 
Give  me  this  stalwart  youth  to  be  my  prop 
To  where  my  horse  is  tethered,  and  I'm  gone. 

[The  KING  makes  a  consenting  signal  to  the  soldier. 
I  thank  thee.    Let  no  others  hear  of  this 
And  I  will  lock  the  secret  tight.    Farewell! 

[He  leans  upon  the  soldier  heavily  and  proceeds  with 
difficulty  across  the  bridge.  The  QUEEN  starts  as 
if  to  go  to  his  assistance,  but  the  KING  takes  her  by 
the  wrist  and  holds  her.  When  SIGISMUND  and  the 
soldier  have  disappeared^  he  speaks. 

KING  (to  the  QUEEN) 
Some  mystery  is  here!   Woman,  reveal  it! 

QUEEN 

My  heart  conceals  no  secrets  but  mine  own, 
And  only  conscience  can  make  revelation. 

KING 

That  thou  dissemblest  is  writ  on  thy  face 
And  I  will  tear  it  from  thee! 

[861 


QUEEN 

If  thou  canst! 
KING 

Suppose  I  torture  thee? 
QUEEN 

Do,  to  my  death, 
And  I'll  reveal  not  what  thou  must  not  know! 

KING 

One  other  knows  all  that  thou  knowest! 
QUEEN 

Who? 
KING 

Who?    Thy  Confessor!  I  will  summon  him, 
And  one  or  both  of  you  shall  lift  the  mask 
From  what  is  hidden  in  your  guilty  breasts. 

QUEEN 
Thou  durst  not! 

KING 

Dare  I  not?    Then  thou  shalt  see! 
[MATHIAS  and  a  soldier  enter  from  the  left. 

MATHIAS 
The  work  is  done,  my  liege.    TOMAK  is  dead. 

QUEEN 
Ah! 

[Buries  her  face  in  her  hands  and  sinks  upon  the 
throne  steps. 

KING 
Good!    For  thy  dispatch  I'll  make  thee  Colonel. 

[MATHIAS  makes  a  grateful  bow. 
Go  thou  unto  the  Vicar  General 
And  bring  him  hither.    Even  from  the  altar! 

MATHIAS 
The  altar,  Sire? 

[871 


KING 

Ay,  even  from  his  prayers! 
Dost  thou  refuse? 

MATHIAS 
I  dare  not. 

KING 

Go! 

[MATHIAS  hurries  across  the  bridge  and  of  to  the  left. 
The  KING  goes  to  the  QUEEN,  attempts  to  lift  her 
to  her  feet  and  finds  that  she  has  fainted. 

Attend  her. 
[VLADISLAV  and  LABOCAN  go  to  the  QUEEN  and  lift 

her  to  a  near-by  couch. 
Think'st  thou  she  doth  malinger? 

LABOCAN 

No,  my  liege. 

Her  courage  and  her  strength  are  not  in  tune. 
But  guilt's  a  burden  strength  cannot  defy, 
Faced  by  the  ghastly  shadow  of  a  crime. 

[MATHIAS  hurries  from  the  left  and  across  the  bridge 
accompanied  by  JOHN 

JOHN  (with  great  dignity) 
What  sacrilege  is  this  that  I  am  dragged 
Out  of  the  sanctity  of  holy  office 
To  hear  the  plaints  of  a  blaspheming  KING? 

KING          , 

Nay,  but  the  plaint  of  a  just  monarch,  wronged 
By  enemies,  conspiracies  and  plots; 
Of  secrets  whose  disgrace  is  hidden  deep 
Within  thy  brain  behind  the  walls  of  faith. 

JOHN  (in  deep  surprise) 
What  dost  thou  mean? 


KING 
That,  this  time,  I  shall  find  them  weak  as  chalk, 

For  I  will  tear  them  down! 
JOHN  (in  amazement) 

What!    Make  revealment  of  the  sins  I've  shrived? 
Through  all  the  struggles  of  our  Holy  Church 
No  tongue  save  thine  hath  uttered  such  defilement. 

[A  large  number  of  the  faithful^  accompanied  by  the 
Monks,  are  seen  coming  across  the  bridge  in  great 
alarm. 

See  where  my  faithful  ones  come  to  protest 
Against  this  act  of  Pagan  profanation ! 
Mark  on  their  faces  horror  at  thy  sin, 
Reviling  God's  most  holy  ritual, 
The  celebration  of  the  Sacrament. 

KING 

MATHIAS!  VLADISLAV!    Call  all  your  guard, 
And  drive  these  rebels  trembling  to  the  city! 

MONKS  and  CROWD  (all  kneeling) 
Mercy!  Mercy! 

KING 

And  wield  your  swords  to  kill, 
If  any  of  them  dare  to  disobey! 

[MATHIAS  and  several  soldiers  who  have  hurried  on 

drive  the  crowd  across  the  bridge  and  up  the  paths. 

JOHN  (who  has  been  regarding  the  episode 

in  amazement) 

Hast  thou  gone  mad  that  thou  dost  rail  like  this 
And  lay  thy  soldiers'  hands  upon  my  monks? 

KING 

If  madness  be  the  name  for  just  revenge 
Upon  the  trusted  ones  who've  played  me  false, 
Then  am  I  mad!    And  be  that  mine  excuse 
For  throttling  skulking  treason  at  its  birth! 


JOHN  (deeply  surprised) 
Treason !    Where  ? 

KING 

In  mine  own  bed!    And  thou 
Hast  it  stored  guiltily  within  thy  breast! 

JOHN 
And  speakest  thou — 

KING  (interrupting  and  pointing  to  the 
QUEEN) 
Of  her  who's  lying  there ! 

JOHN  (noticing  the  QUEEN  for  the  first 

time) 
Joanna! 

[JOHN  goes  over  to  her>  bends  over  her  and  strokes  her 
hair. 

KING 

Even  she!  (with  deep  significance) 
Thy  conscience,  priest, 
Conceals  the  damning  evidence  we  seek, 
And  I  am  firm  resolved  to  tear  it  from  thee! 

JOHN 

Such  blasphemy  was  never  known  before 
In  all  the  centuries  the  Church  hath  lived! 

KING 

Well,  then  Fll  break  the  dull  monotony, 
And  rule  that  when  there's  danger  to  the  State 
Confessors  must  reveal  what  they  know  of  it. 

JOHN 

Thou  hast  no  right  to  make  so  base  a  law! 
Know,  if  a  million  kings  a  million  times 
Should  make  its  counterpart,  in  all  the  world 
There's  not  one  priest  so  base  as  to  obey  it! 

[90] 


KING  (fiercely) 

By  God   there's  one  priest  shall!    But  I'll  relent 
So  far  as  this:    Affirm  what  we  suspect, 
That  SIGISMUND,  Hungaria's  King,  and  she 
Have  assignations  made  in  mockery 
Of  wifely  vows  and  loyalty  to  me. 

JOHN 

Why,  thou  wouldst  mock  my  cloth,  blaspheme  my  Faith, 
Laugh  at  thy  God  to  dream  it  in  thy  sleep! 
I'll  hear  no  more! 

[he  is  about  to  go. 
KING 

Stop!    Thou  shalt  move  no  step! 
Mathias,  call  thy  guard! 

[MATHIAS  hurries  off  to  the  left.  The  KING  continues 
to  JOHN  and,  unseen  by  anyone^  the  QUEEN  be 
gins  to  revive. 

Now  thou  shalt  see 

If  thou  art  King,  or  I!  For  by  my  crown, 
Lest  thou'rt  compliant  to  my  just  demand 
I'll  have  thee  tortured  to  my  will! 

[The  QUEEN  rises  and  totters  faintly  over  to  JOHN 
QUEEN 

No,  no ! 

I'll  make  complete  revealment! 
JOHN 

On  thy  soul 
Thou  must  not! 

(to  her) 

It  will  mean  thy  death, 
And  his;  ten  thousand  deaths  in  war! 

KING 

Reveal  what  she  hath  told  and  thou  art  free! 
JOANNA,  speak  on  thy  Confessor's  life! 


JOHN 
And  if  thou  dost,  thou  wilt  but  mock  thy  faith! 

KING 
Lay  hands  on  him! 

[MATHIAS  and  soldiers  hesitate 

On  peril  of  your  lives 
Do  as  your  King  commands ! 

[MATHIAS  signals  to  the  soldiers  and  they  place  their 
hands  on  JOHN. 

JOHN 
Hold  off  your  hands ! 

[The  soldiers  release  him  and  he  turns  to  the  KING. 
Till  thou  hast  proved  me  traitor  to  the  crown 
Thou  durst  not  bait  me  like  a  criminal! 

KING 
That  shalt  thou  see. 

(to  the  soldiers) 

Your  hands  upon  him  tight, 
Nor  loosen  them  again  till  ye  are  bid! 
Are  tortures  ready? 

VLADISLAV 

Ay,  my  liege. 
QUEEN  (deeply  horrified) 
Tortures ! 
KING 
Thou  canst  prevent  them  with  a  single  word. 

QUEEN 

Then  that  word  will  I  speak ! 
JOHN 

I  do  command 

Of  thee  the  silence  God  imposed  on  me ! 
What  thou'st  confessed  is  His,  not  mine  or  thine. 

QUEEN 
Not  if  he  torture  thee? 

[92] 


JOHN 

Not  for  my  life, 

Or  thine,  or  yet  an  hundred  more! 
KING 

Take  him  away! 

[The  soldiers  are  about  to  drag  him  away,  when  the 
QUEEN  kneels  and  hangs  upon  his  robe. 

QUEEN 
I  cannot  hold  it  longer,  I  will  speak! 

KING 
Speak  all  the  truth? 

QUEEN 

Ay,  every  word ! 
JOHN 

Not  one! 

Lest  Heaven's  vengeance  fall  upon  thee ! 
KING 

Speak! 
QUEEN 

To  save  thee  torture — death! 
JOHN 

That  cannot  be! 

Remember,  twice  before  I've  braved  his  wrath. 
So,  courage,  child.    He  dare  not  wreak  his  threat! 
And  if  he  did,  no  thong  would  tear  my  flesh, 
No  heaviest  scourge  raise  welts  upon  my  back 
Nor  red  hot  swords  sear  blisters  on  my  skin. 

KING 
Away  with  him! 

QUEEN  (clinging  to  him) 
I  will  not  let  thee  go ! 

KING 
Tear  them  apart! 

[93] 


[Two  soldiers  lay  hands  upon  her,  and  she  brushes 
them  away  angrily. 

QUEEN 
Unhand  me! 

[The  KING  goes  over  to  her,  tears  her  away  from  JOHN, 
swings  her  to  the  right  and  faces  JOHN. 
KING 

Wilt  thou  speak? 
JOHN 

Unto  my  God,  not  thee! 
KING 

I'll  wait  no  more! 
[Makes  a  fierce  gesture  to  the  soldiers  and  they  lead 

JOHN  away  to  the  left 
Wield  thou  the  lash,  good  LABOCAN. 
LABOCAN 

What,  I? 
KING 
Thy  fee  a  thousand  florins!    Is't  agreed? 

[LABOCAN  bows  unwillingly  and  VLADISLAV  leads 
him  away.     The  KING  goes  over  to  the  left  and 
speaks  to  those  outside. 
Have  all  the  tortures  near,  so  I  may  see 
And  hear  his  courage  break.    No,  nearer!    So! 

[The  QUEEN  has  covered  her  face  with  her  hands,  but 
the  KING  tears  them  away  roughly  and  turns  her 
face  to  the  left. 

See  where  the  scourge  is  ready  for  his  back! 
Confess  that  I  accuse  thee  both  aright 
And  the  uplifted  arm  falls  not! 

JOHN  (speaking from  outside] 

Silence! 
KING 
Confess ! 

[94] 


QUEEN 

Then  know  that — 
JOHN 

Silence,  on  thy  soul! 
KING  (calling  off) 
Strike! 

\fVith  each  blow  of  the  scourge  there  is  heard  a  sigh  of 
pain  from  JOHN. 
QUEEN 
Ah! 

[Buries  her  face  in  her  hands. 

KING 
Again!    Again!    And  yet  again! 

[turns  the  QUEEN'S  face  toward  the  left 
Show  him  no  mercy!    Now  then,  cross  the  lashes! 

QUEEN 
No  more,  no  more! 

JOHN  (speaking  from  of  the  stage  with 

great  effort) 

Courage,  my  child.    The  sighs 
Were  those  of  sorrow,  not  of  pain. 
KING  (calling  of) 

Again ! 

[Another  blow  of  the  lash  is  heard  with  each  command. 
Another!  Harder! 

QUEEN 

Stop  and  I  confess! 
JOHN 

Upon  thy  soul's  salvation,  silence! 
KING 

Strike! 

{Another  blow  is  heard  accompanied  by  a  cry  of  pain. 
The  QUEEN  places  her  hands  to  her  ears  and  runs 

[95] 


up  toward  the  bridge ',  the  I&.ING  following  her.  He 
seizes  her  at  the  top  of  the  steps.  HAJEK  appears 
suddenly -,  pushes  the  KING  away  from  the  QUEEN 
and  the  KiNcfa//s  to  the  bottom  of  the  steps. 

HAJEK  (to  the  QUEEN) 
Horses  are  ready, — one  relief  can  come ! 
QUEEN 

From  whom? 
HAJEK 
The  ARCHBISHOP!    No  time  to  lose! 

[HAJEK  leads  the  QUEEN  of  to  the  right.  The  KING 
rises  and  in  a  great  rage  looks  for  the  QUEEN. 

KING 
What,    gone ! 

[Goes  to  the  left  and  shouts  of 
Speak,  I  command  thee! 
JOHN 

Strike  again! 

KING  (now  in  an  uncontrollable  rage) 
The  horses  and  the  chains!    Tear  him  apart! 

[LABOCAN  hurries  on  in  terror  from  the  left^  carrying 
in  his  hands  a  bloody  scourge^  and  kneels  to  the 
KING. 

LABOCAN 

Ah,  gracious  Majesty,  here  on  my  knees, 
In  deep  humility  and  reverence, 
I  beg  of  thee  no  torture  like  to  that! 
By  VLADISLAV  compelled,  these  reeking  hands 
Belabored  with  this  scourge  his  naked  back 
Till  it  was  streaked  with  living  streams  of  blood! 
Ah,  was  it  not  enough? 
KING 

Not  half  enough! 
(calling  of  to  the  left) 

[96] 


What  ho,  I  say!    The  horses  and  the  chains! 

[The  champing  of  horses  and  the  clanking  of  chains  are 
heard. 

LABOCAN  (pointing  of  to  the  left  in  great 

agony) 

See  where  they  twist  the  clanking  chains  and  ropes 
About  his  limbs!  Look  where  the  champing  beasts 
Stand  dumbly  by  to  wreak  their  cruel  work! 

KING 
The  stars  commanded  it, — did'st  thou  not  say  so? 

LABOCAN 

The  stars  commanded  no  such  deed  as  this, 
And  if  thou  say'st  I  said  so,  then  thou  liest! 

KING  (drawing  his  sword) 
What,  this  to  me  ? 

LABOCAN 

Ay,  though  thou  hew  me  down! 

KING  (beating  LABOCAN  of  the  stage  with 

his  sword) 
Back  to  thy  work  or  thou  shalt  follow  him. 

{Calls  of  to  the  left. 
Are  chains  and  horses  ready? 

[VLADISLAV  enters  from  the  left  nervously. 

VLADISLAV 

Yes,  my  liege, 

But  all  my  men,  too  full  of  aweful  pity 
For  one  whom  they  revere,  do  now  rebel, 
Refusing  to  go  further. 

KING 

Then  on  thee 
Shall  fall  the  honor  to  uphold  my  will ! 

[97] 


VLADISLAV 
Nay,  not  on  me,  my  liege. 

KING 

Why,  where's  the  fear? 

He'll  speak  with  the  first  tension  on  the  chains. 
And,  if  thou  hold  the  bridles,  I'll  make  thee 
First  Lord  of  Prague ! 

VLADISLAV 

There'll  be  no  doubt  of  it? 

KING 
I  swear  it  on  my  honor  and  my  crown. 

VLADISLAV 
Then  it  is  done. 

[He  hurries  of  to  the  left. 

KING  (speaking  of  to  the  left) 
Now,  Vicar  General, 
This  is  thy  end  unless  thou  do  confess! 

JOHN  (outside  from  the  left) 
I  do  defy  thee! 

KING 

Then  begin! 

[The  chains  are  heard  to  tighten  and  there  is  a  cry 
of  pain  from  JOHN. 

Confess! 
JOHN 
Still  I  defy  thee! 

KING  (calling  off  savagely} 
Draw!    With  all  their  power! 
[The  tautening  of  the  chains  and  the  cry  of  JOHN  are 

repeated. 
One  word  will  free  thee — yes  or  no? 

[98] 


JOHN  (in  great  agony) 

No,  no ! 

KING  (frantically) 
Again,  again,  although  it  mean  his  death! 

JOHN  (with  an  expiring  sigh) 

To  Thee  —  Oh  Father —  I commend  my  spirit! 

[LABOCAN  hurries  on  and  kneels. 

LABOCAN 
He  will  not  speak.    Mercy,  I  beg  of  thee ! 

KING 
No! 

LABOCAN 

Then  upon  the  powers  that  rule  the  heavens, 
I  call  to  dim  yon  sun  and  bring  thee  darkness! 

[The  white  light  of  the  stage  changes  to  an  amber  tone, 
which  in  turn  fades  and  almost  total  darkness 
comes,  which  is  relieved  by  a  strong  red  light  from 
the  left  as  if  from  a  fire. 

KING  (now  greatly  terrified) 

What  ho!  My  Guard!  Lights!    Cut  the  villain  down! 
Death  to  a  sorcerer  that  rules  the  sun ! 
VLADISLAV!  VLADISLAV!  Where  art  thou,  man? 

[VLADISLAV  hurries  on,  showing  great  fear. 
His  life!    I'll  have  his  life! 

VLADISLAV 

No  more,  no  more! 
Enough's  already  done! 

KING 

The  Vicar  General  ? 

VLADISLAV 
Dead!    His  strength  was  frailer  than  I  thought. 

[99] 


KING  (now frightened) 

Take  him  away!     Let  not  his  corpse  be  seen, 
Lest  all  my  subjects  rise  up  in  rebellion 
Before  I  have  convinced  them  of  his  guilt. 
Into  the  river  with  him! 

[VLADISLAV  hurries  of  to  the  left,  and  HAJEK  is  seen 
hurrying  down  the  path.  LABOCAN  is  still  crouch 
ing  slightly  to  the  left,  and  the  KING  approaches 
him. 

Now  for  thee! 

Thou  hast  brought  darkness,  bring  me  back  the  sun 
Or  I  will  kill  thee  straight!     The  sun,  I  say! 

HAJEK  (who  has  come  down  running) 
He  cannot! 

KING 
Cannot? 

HAJEK 

No,  'tis  an  eclipse 

Hid  in  his  knowledge  for  these  many  days 
And  which  he  charged  me  not  to  speak  of. 

KING  (about  to  attack  LABOCAN  with  his 
sword) 

Dog! 

HAJEK  (interposing) 

Soil  not  thy  royal  hands  with  such  as  he 
On  top  of  what  hath  been  already  done. 

[showing  his  hands 

Leave  him  to  these,  unsoiled  by  murder  yet, 
But  hungering  to  take  this  traitor's  life 
That  never  knew  but  lies  and  foul  deception ! 

KING 
Then  rest  his  fate  with  thee! 

f  ioo  1 


[As  HAJEK  is  about  to  seize  him,  soldiers  led  by 
VLADISLAV  and  MATHIAS  appear  bearing  the 
body  of  JOHN  upon  a  litter.  LABOCAN  points  to 
this. 

LABOCAN 

Look  there,  look  there! 
[The  KING  hangs  his  head  in  shame.     HAJ EK  forces 

LABOCAN  to  his  knees  and  kneels  beside  him^  and 

the  cortege  proceeds  to  the  bridge^  where  the  body 

is  cast  into  the  river. 
{At  the  same  time^  the  ARCHBISHOP  and  the  QUEEN 

are  seen  hurrying  down  the  path  toward  the  bridge. 

KING 
Lights!     Bring  me  lights! 

VLADISLAV 

There  are  no  lights,  my  liege. 
[By  this  time  the  ARCHBISHOP  and  the  QUEEN  are 
seen  standing  on  the  bridge. 

ARCHBISHOP 
Lo,  this  becurtained  sun !     The  work  of  God, 

[All  turn  and  regard  him  in  great  fright. 
Rebuking  thee  for  what  thou'st  done  to-day. 
Speak,  KING!     Where  is  my  Vicar  General? 

[There  is  a  moment  of  deep  silence. 
Will  no  one  speak? 

HAJEK 

There's  one  who  dares,  your  grace, 
He's  dead. 

[  The  QUEEN  kneels^  burying  her  face  in  her  hands. 

QUEEN 
Dead! 

hot] 


ARCHBISHOP 

And  from  torture? 
HAJEK 

Torture,  ay! 

ARCHBISHOP  (to  the  KING,  who  stands 

trembling  near  the  foot  of  the  throne) 
And  thou  hast  done  this  through  a  cruel  whim, 
Inspired  by  scandals,  rumors  and  suspicion, 
Fed  by  the  minions  thou  hast  taught  to  speak 
As  thy  thoughts  led  withal.     And  truth  or  lie 
Were  spoken  as  best  suited  to  thine  aims. 
I  know  not  if  thy  QUEEN  be  guilty,  or 
If  SIGISMUND  conspires  against  the  State. 
These  secrets  thou  hast  tried  with  fatal  torture 
To  wring  from  out  a  Captain  of  the  Church, 
And  for  this  bloody  blasphemy  I  curse  thee! 

[The  KING  bows  his  head  in  abject  terror. 
Come  never  peace  into  thy  life  again, 
But  heresy  and  war  disturb  thy  realm 
So  long  as  thou  shalt  live!     Thy  life  a  hell 
With  only  those  accursed  to  mourn  thy  death! 
And  if  'tis  in  the  will  of  Heaven  now 
To  wreak  his  anger  on  this  crime  of  thine, 

[lifting  his  arms  as  if  in  prayer 
I  call  on  him  to  crash  it  in  thine  ears! 
Thou  art  accursed! 

KING 

Mercy ! 
ARCHBISHOP 

Accursed  of  God ! 

[Here  a  violent  storm  breaks  out  with  wild  fury. 
There  are  lurid  flashes  of  lightning,  deafening 
crashes  of  thunder  and  showers  of  rain  and  hail. 

\  102  I 


[The  ARCHBISHOP  holds  out  his  arms  to  the  QUEEN, 

and  she  rushes  into  them  as  if  for  protection. 
[The  KING,  followed  by  VLADISLAV  and  the  soldiers, 

hurries  up  to  cross  the  bridge.     A  great  shaft  of 

lightning  strikes  it  and  VLADISLAV  rolls  down  the 

steps  dead. 
[The  KING  and  soldiers  are  blinded  for  a  moment  by 

the  flash,  and  then  hurry  terrified  up  the  path. 
[The  ARCHBISHOP,  with  one  arm  about  the  QUEEN, 

hurries  away  after  them. 
[HAJEK  seizes  LABOCAN  by  the  throat,  forces  him  up 

to  the  river,  pushes  him  through  the  reeds  into  it, 

then  hurries  into  the  forest. 
[The  glow  of  the  fire  on  the  left  is  now  gone,  and  the 

stage  is  in  utter  darkness,  in  preparation  for — 

THE  TRANSFIGURATION  OF  JOHN  OF  NEPOMUK 

[The  figure  of  JOHN  is  seen  to  rise  from  the  river,  a 
halo  about  his  head,  and  float  upward. 

[A  dazzling  flood  of  light  suddenly  suffuses  the  hill 
side,  and  a  great  chorus  of  ANGELS  is  grouped 
toward  the  summit. 

[The  figure  rises  slowly  toward  the  light  until  it  has 
passed  beyond  it,  the  intention  being  to  convey  the 
idea  that  the  spirit  of  JOHN  is  being  translated 
into  Heaven. 

CHORUS  OF  ANGELS 

The  voices  of  Heaven  do  sing  in  thy  glory, 
The  lore  of  Bohemia  shall  ring  with  thy  fame, 

And  poets  their  Muses  shall  chain  to  thy  story, 
And  Sainthood  for  ages  shall  rest  on  thy  name. 


Bohemia  thy  birthland,  Bohemia  thy  deathland, 
And  Heaven  forever  thy  soul's  land  shall  be; 

Bohemia  and  Heaven,  thy  glory  shall  leaven, 
Bohemia  and  Heaven  are  ever  for  thee ! 
[With  the  close  of  the  Chorus  the  light  fades  slowly 
away  and  the  stage  is  in  darkness. 

THE  ILLUMINATION  BEGINS. 

[The  refrain  of  the  Song  of  SIGISMUND  is  heard 
through  the  gloom,  and  the  cloaked  form  of  the 
QUEEN  is  seen  approaching  it  as  before,  lighted 
only  by  the  faint  glow  from  the  illumination. 


THE  END. 


104 


SYNOPSIS   OF    THE    MUSIC 

BY 

HUMPHREY  J.  STEWART 


After  a  short  orchestral  prelude: 


the  scene  fades  to  darkness.  The  music  indicates  the  tragic 
character  of  the  drama: 


S  s  *  *  ir*1 

Following  this  brief  orchestral  movement,  we  proceed 
at  once  to  SIGISMUND'S  Love  Song,  heard  in  the  distance: 


The  song  has  a  haunting  refrain: 


During  the  dialogue  which  follows  the  refrain  of  the 
song  is  heard  twice  in  the  distance,  but  without  accom 
paniment. 

At  the  close  of  the  dialogue  between  LABOCAN  and 
HAJEK  the  organ  commences,  very  softly,  a  prelude  to  the 
Easter  Hymn,  "O  Filii  et  Filiae."  For  this  number  the 
composer  has  used  the  ancient  Plainsong  melody  which 
has  been  sung  to  this  Hymn  for  many  centuries  in  the 
Catholic  church. 


As  the  organ  prelude  ceases  the  choir  sings,  from  afar, 
the  first  verse,  without  accompaniment.  The  organ  is 
again  heard,  gradually  increasing  in  power  as  the  religious 
procession  appears  upon  the  hillside.  The  second  verse 
is  sung  with  organ  accompaniment.  After  this  the  orches 
tra  commences  with  free  imitative  counterpoint,  in  the 
style  of  the  Bach  chorales.  This  is  continued  as  an  ac 
companiment  to  the  third  verse,  sung  by  the  choir  in 
unison.  For  the  fourth  verse  the  full  power  of  the  orches 
tra,  choir  and  organ  is  employed  with  free  counterpoint 
in  the  bass,  leading  to  an  imposing  climax.  JOHN  intones 
the  blessing,  to  which  the  choir  responds  with  the  "Dres 
den"  Amen. 

The  next  musical  number  is  a  March  and  Chorus, 
accompanying  the  entry  of  the  King,  Queen  and  Court: 


TR, 


£3 


"t- 


106] 


After  considerable  dialogue  we  come  to  BALBINUS'  song, 
with  chorus: 


HAJEK'S  song,  with  chorus,  in  which  he  describes  the 
miserable  condition  of  a  kingdom  without  wine,  is  the 
next  musical  number: 


'LJL  ^ItT^'   l 


The  music  accompanying  the  Court  revels  is  a  suite  de 
ballet,  in  three  parts: 

(I).  Mazurka,  by  the  soldiers: 

[107] 


(II).  Valse.  (Pas  de  Fascination)  by  girls 


(III).  Bacchanale,  by  both  groups  of  dancers 


The   Finale   commences  with  music  descriptive  of  a 
storm: 


f 


[108] 


As  the  storm  dies  away  the  music  changes  in  character, 
to  illustrate  the  scene  of  the  Transfiguration  of  JOHN. 
The  following  theme  forms  the  basis  of  this  movement: 


This  leads  to  the  final  Chorus  of  Angels 


u 

"              TW~ 

* 

R 

5 

k 

La«.       oi  6«. 

*|          11^  = 

—  t  

i  -^ 

^ 

H  -1 

J 

| 

4_jj 

•I 

m  rT^i 

iu.  . 

, 

1      1 

—  k 

^  •  J  3  J 

j  -1  1 

^ 

'  : 

I  -I  :l    ' 

i 


HUMPHREY  J.  STEWART. 


YC   16781 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


